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NASW Pioneers Biography Index


The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is pleased to present the NASW Social Work Pioneers®. NASW Pioneers are social workers who have explored new territories and built outposts for human services on many frontiers. Some are well known, while others are less famous outside their immediate colleagues, and the region where they live and work. But each one has made an important contribution to the social work profession, and to social policies through service, teaching, writing, research, program development, administration, or legislation.

The NASW Pioneers have paved the way for thousands of other social workers to contribute to the betterment of the human condition; and they are are role models for future generations of social workers. The NASW Foundation has made every effort to provide accurate Pioneer biographies.  Please contact us at naswfoundation@socialworkers.org to provide missing information, or to correct inaccurate information. It is very important to us to correctly tell these important stories and preserve our history.  

Please note, an asterisk attached to a name reflects Pioneers who have passed away. All NASW Social Work Pioneers® Bios are Copyright © 2021 National Association of Social Workers Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

    
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Josephine A.V. Allen Photo
Josephine A. V. Allen

Josephine A. V. Allen was president of the National Association of Social Workers from 1997 to 1999. She is associate professor in Cornell University's College of Human Ecology where she teaches policy, administration, program evaluation and planning, and is associated with Cornell's baccalaureate social work program. She holds an MSW in social welfare administration and policy, an MA in political science, and a PhD in social work from the University of Michigan.

The period of her presidency was preceded by eight years as a member of the Board of NASW, representing New York State and Region 3 for five years, serving as vice president for two years, followed by another three years as president-elect and president. She has served as a trustee of the NASW Insurance Trust, as a member of the Legal Defense Service, and as a member of the SOCIAL WORK Editorial Board and the Competence Certification Commission..

She has served as her chapter's vice-presidency, been a member of its Nomination Committee and Executive Committee, and served as a delegate to the 1988 Delegate Assembly. The chapter's Southern Tier Division named her it’s Social Worker of the year (1983-1984).

She is a member of the Council of Social Work Education, the Baccalaureate Program Director's Association, and the American Public Health Association's Social Work Section.




Newly Inducted NASW Social Work Pioneer Hortense McClinton 2015

Nominate A New NASW Pioneer

Nominations are open year-round. Nominations received by March 31 will be reviewed for induction in the current year's
Annual Program event in the fall. Nominations submitted after March 31 will be considered for the following year. To learn more, visit our Pioneer nomination guidelines.

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New Pioneers 

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2024