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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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Glenn S. Allison Photo
Glenn S. Allison* (1925-2007)

Following his service during World War II as a member of a squadron in the Pacific theatre, Glenn S. Allison graduated from Olivet College in Michigan, took graduate work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, then obtained his master of social work degree at the School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago. He then served as a psychiatric social worker for the Illinois Department of Mental Health, rising to the position of assistant chief of Psychiatric Social Services. From 1965 to 1968 he was consultant to the Community Welfare Council of San Diego County and a member of the faculty of the School of Social Work at San Diego State College. During this period, Mr. Allison also served as president of the San Diego Chapter of NASW.

In August of 1968, Mr. Allison joined the staff of the Washington office as an associate director of public relations. He returned to San Diego in 1981 to become executive director of Episcopal Community Services. He later became a permanent deacon in the city's Episcopal diocese. He also received the Christianity Unity Award from San Diego's Roman Catholic diocesan Commission for Economical and Inter-religious Affairs. The award is presented yearly to a person who has worked for the cooperation and unification of all Christians. Glenn S. Allison died Tuesday, April 24, 2007 in California. In addition to his wife, the Rev. Allison is survived by his daughter Lesley Allison of Sisters, Oregon; son, Dr. Glenn W. Allison of Roslindale, Massachusetts; stepdaughters Heather Crews of Baltimore; Shannon Andrade of Alpine; and, two grandchildren, five stepgrandchildren, and two great grandchildren.