Mrs. Tenise M. Wall, LMSW, School Social Worker,
Enlarged City School District of Middletown,
Middletown, New York

Tell us why you chose social work as your profession:

I did not know about the profession of social work until I was enrolled in community college where I was pursuing my Associates Degree in Liberal Arts. I had taken a number of courses and found great interest in the sociology courses. At the time I knew I had a deep interest but did not know what I could do with it, perhaps a professor of sociology? As I was nearing the end of my degree program and meeting with the academic advisor we talked about some next steps. For me getting an Associate’s Degree was really as far as I thought I would go in higher education. Besides I had no family higher educational models to follow. I had already reached a path that was foreign to my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. And if that was not enough I bore the label of a teenage mother who according to statistics was not supposed to make it even that far.

The academic counselor and I talked about my interests and she shared a new program that was only 10 miles away and offered a weekend program catering to adult learners. The program was at Marist, a BSW in Social Work. After learning more about the program and specifically about the field of social work it described the passion in my heart so perfectly. I have always been that person people seek out to talk to about their problems, holding their confidence while providing sound advice. Today I have used my professional degree to counsel several thousand individuals from the Behavioral Health Unit, Community Counseling, and School Social Work to Private Practice: www.WallProfessionalServices.org Every day I have the opportunity to work with children and families providing them with the knowledge, values and skills I obtained in my educational career and it feel so good.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest professional moment was obtaining my Master’s Degree in Social Work. That day was filled with great joy and shared with my two oldest children and sister. I was truly overjoyed knowing that I had accomplished what most statistics said I would never attain as a woman who had her first child as a teenage mother. This degree signified many things to me on so many levels. It was more than just feeling proud of what I accomplished but it meant I never had to depend on anyone to support me because this degree would allow me to earn a living and support my family. It meant opportunities; it was an example to my children that they could accomplish anything they put their minds to. It meant I could work in a career that I did not seek out but rather I was called into.

Achievements

• 2009 Orange County Tribute to Women of Achievement Award in Education

• 2009 CNLI (Committee on Nominations & Leadership Identification) for the National Association of Social Workers Hudson Valley Division Representative

• 2009 Published my book: Pain to Purpose-Look What Jesus Did!

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Social Work was not my initial desired profession. I entered Virginia Commonwealth University in 2006 on an Army ROTC Scholarship, with the intentions of becoming an Army nurse. Halfway through school, I was working on the pediatric unit at MCV Medical Center. I met the Social Worker on the unit and followed her around from that day on. The Holistic Perspective and the idea that as a Social Worker, you focus on many aspects of the client’s life enamored me. My interest was so piqued that I changed my major my junior year and have not looked back since then. I did not choose Social Work as a profession, Social Work chose me.

Q: How does increasing diversity in the Social Work profession improve human services?

Increasing diversity in the profession improves human services on many fronts. The purpose of the profession is to be as beneficial to the target populations as possible. What could be more comforting than to walk into an agency and work with individuals who can relate to your experience and maybe even speak your native languages. The United States is a melting pot and it is one of our duties to cater to the variety of clients. Diversity in the workplace also increases the breadth of knowledge and resources. Each Social Worker enters the workplace with their own personal and professional experiences that impact the agency and its constituents.

Awards and Honors

• Member of the Community Coalition of East NY, mental health team 2013
• NABSW District of Columbia Chapter Scholarship recipient 2011

-Howard University School of Social Work Alumnae Trustee Scholarship recipient 2011

-Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated 2008

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Ms. Tawanda L. Hubbard, MSW, LCSW, Intensive in Community (IIC) Therapist and Adjunct Professor, Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work, New Brunswick, NJ

Q. Ms. Hubbard, please tell us about your career.

My name is Tawanda Hubbard and I am a Black Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of New Jersey. I work as an Intensive in Community (IIC) Therapist providing therapy to children, adolescents, families, and couples who struggle with relational conflict, behavioral challenges, trauma and abuse, mood disorders, ADHD, parenting issues, life stressors, etc. in the community with Total Family Solutions and as Private Practitioner.

I teach as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work and provide field instruction to BSW and MSW Students.

In addition, I work as a Training Consultant for the Institute for families at the Rutgers School of Social Work with the Child Welfare Training Academy providing skill based trainings to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency Workers.

Q. Why you choose social work as your profession?

I chose social work because of my natural ability to connect and work with others, social work’s rich history and culture, and my desire to contribute in positive ways to the well being of individuals, families, and communities

Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

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Ms.Keyla Silva, MSW, LSW, Family Service League / Essex County Rape Care Center, Montclair, NJ

Q. Ms. Silva, why did you choose social work as your profession?

I am a licensed social worker at the Essex County Rape Care Center (a program of Family Service League) located in Montclair, NJ.  I am currently a therapist and the outreach coordinator for the ECRCC and I absolutely love my job.  I chose social work because I knew that in order to change the world I need to help each person, one at a time.  I love this profession because of its focus on the strengths perspective and enjoy touching people’s lives in so many ways.  I enjoy impacting people’s lives so much that I started a non-profit organization (Inda Cares, Inc.) dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in Angola, Africa.

Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest professional achievement took place on November 11th, 2012.  On that day, Inda Cares celebrated our 1 year anniversary.  As a 24 year old, black female, I took pride in my ability to turn my dream into a reality. The reality was that I am a young woman who owns my own business, a business that is changing the lives of many children in Angola. Nothing makes me more proud of myself than knowing that after all of my hard work come April I will be delivering approximately 400 mosquito nets to 200 families in a village in Angola, Africa in efforts to prevent malaria.  A lot of people attempted to persuade me not to pursue my vision because of many obstacles that would be encountered but I’m very happy that I rebelled and listened to my gut.  I think  a lot of times we stray away from reaching the top, from reaching our ultimate dreams and goals, because of what we are taught.  We are taught not to take on any challenges, not to take risks, to just get into a place of comfort, a familiar place.  The most challenging thing I have done was to face my fears and not be afraid of success.  Although I am constantly overcome with fear and anxiety about what my future holds, I am no longer afraid to take a leap and face my fears.  I have come to the realization that I can be both afraid and brave at the same time.  This realization is very helpful in my personal life, professional life, and as a social worker in session with my clients.

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

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Ms. Mary Pender Greene, LCSW-R, CGP, President & CEO of MGP Consulting, New York NY

Q. Ms. Pender Greene, why did you choose social work as your profession?

I was in the 8th grade when I decided to become a social worker. I had two mentors, both of whom were social workers. Both noted that I had qualities of a social worker, even at that young age. I was always interested in people and innately curious about them. I was extremely compassionate and wanted to help people. I mended relationships by acting as a bridge; I reached out to those who had been shunned, and I always brought people together. Over the years, I have found that many socials workers displayed similar characteristics early in life.

I went from first grade, straight through to my MSW without taking a semester off. I believe that social work is a calling, and I had the calling. Those who have the calling are tolerant and not judgmental. It is not for everyone but when you are called, it becomes a passion. My education in social work just reinforced this passion and sharpened my skills. The old adage about time flying when you’re having fun also applies to years and decades when you’re following your passion. I can honestly say I have just as much, if not more, love and enthusiasm for the profession than I had straight out of high school. I have supervised, taught, trained and coached thousands of individuals and gained detailed knowledge of hundreds of organizations in my nearly 39 years of practice, including tenure at three major mental health social service organizations, and 30 years of private practice.

Some people come to the profession because they have the calling early in life; some get the calling later after they have done other things. Some study the profession but don’t have the calling, and they don’t last because the work is too hard for those who are minus the call and the passion.

I never tire of helping people. I never give up on the belief that everyone can be helped and lifted up in some way, and that it’s just a matter of finding the right strategy that works for them. There is always something that can be done. I get a lot of gratification from witnessing people’s growth. I see it as joy rather than a job, and I would do it for nothing.

Q. How have social workers of color advanced professionally because of changing perceptions, attitudes, and political climates?

On March 18, 2005, the Social Work Congress issued 12 NASW Imperatives for the coming decade. Three of which are a call to the Social Work Profession to specifically address systematic and structural racism and racial equity:

• Address the impact of racism; other forms of oppression, social justice, and human rights violations through social work education and practice.
• Continuously acknowledge, recognize, confront, and address pervasive racism within social work practice at the individual, agency, and institutional levels.
• Mobilize the social work profession to actively engage in politics, policy, and social action, emphasizing the strategic use of power.

This imperative, coupled with the fact that CSWE has included Cultural Competence as a part of their accreditation standards, has greatly impacted the experience of social workers of color within the profession.

The two-term election of a president of color is evidence of a shift in attitudes and mindsets within our nation. Research by Sundstrom (2008) in “The Browning of America and the Evasion of Social Justice” indicates that the U.S. is undergoing profound demographic changes. Consequently, our client populations have become increasingly diverse, with many clients from cultures that speak languages other than English. As a result, bilingual-bicultural social workers are especially needed. The social work profession has come to recognize and appreciate the value added by social workers of color. While we have progressed, there is still much that we must do as a profession. Training is the key to successful cross-racial and cross-cultural dialogue, which is necessary to claim excellence in cultural competence.

Additionally, more diverse executive suites are needed in our profession. Constituents of color often make up more than half of the clients being served by our organizations. Who better to articulate the depth, intensity, and perspective of diverse groups than a leader from that group who has lived the experience? This is not to say other leaders cannot provide credible leadership. Rather, it is to suggest knowledge based on lived experience in a given culture creates the potential for bringing a unique perspective to leadership. Their presence adds credibility to the organization, and has extreme value to the community, the staff, and clients from their group.

We must also remember that while we have opened some doors for women and people of color to attain senior level executive positions, those doors were opened into a predominantly white male leadership world. They need our help to succeed and in admitting others in larger numbers. As seasoned leaders, it is our job to prepare and support them. It will take all of us. In our combined efforts in establishing more authentic relationships, we can collectively make our organizations and our profession a place where all people can contribute to their full potential.

Honors and Awards

Keynotes

• NASW (NYC) Annual Meeting – Creative Mentoring: Sustaining the Profession (2012)
• NYU Silver School of Social Work – Effective Leadership in Social Service Organizations (2010)

Awards

• The National Network for Social Work Managers Organizational Excellence Award (2010)
• The New York University Silver School of Social Work First Annual Distinguished Alumni Award (2009)
• The Human Service Council Leadership Award (2008)
• The Network Journal’s 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business (2007)

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

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Ms. Airetta Myrick, MSW, School Social Worker, Chicago Public Schools, IL

Q. Ms. Myrick, why did you choose social work as your profession?

As a youth, I wanted to help others change the adverse conditions in which they lived. I could identify with a lot of the problems others were experiencing since I underwent several hardships as a child.

I thought then if only we could move, things would be better for me and my family. However, my family moved to Chicago when I was twelve and I saw poverty at a level I never experienced before. I wanted to help. I began studying people and their relationships, and realized we can change our lives if we change how we reacted to diverse conditions.

I began studying formally the applied sciences of psychology and sociology in George Williams College. Then I took an extra evening course at the University of Illinois Psychology Department in Chicago, and read the most amazing course descriptions posted on the bulletin board. One read, “Conflict is the result of a perceived scarcity of resources.” So I asked the professor which psychology class covered this topic. He responded, “Oh, that’s social work. The college is across the street”. I applied, and the rest has been an amazing and enjoyable adventure.

Q. How have minority social workers advanced professionally because of changing perceptions, attitudes, and political climates?

From my perspective minority social workers have presented themselves first as social workers, than as experts in their area of specialty. It appears the times have long gone when one had to yell out “Notice me, I’m Black! I’m a Minority! I know what it’s like to be downtrodden!” It appears to me that our expertise is used and requested in all areas of the political arena as well. It makes me happy when I read about social workers who are professors, involved in politics, rewriting laws, called in to express our opinions of the crises in the world.

The real issue which is the challenge for today, is to allow all women who are viewed by the society at large, and the world in general, as being beneath men, and not a viable spokesperson. It appears this is an issue of women’s rights, and the need to be elevated in society with their rightful place beside of our men. Recently, I have noticed that women, in general, are scrutinized harder to determine if we will break under criticism or ridicule. However, as social workers, I feel we are listen to and respected.

Advance Credentials and Awards

• Diplomate in Clinical Social Work presented by the National Association of Social Workers
• Qualified Clinical Social Worker presented by the National Association of Social Workers 1986 to the present
• Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work issued July 15, 1988, by American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
• Cambridge Who’s Who 2008 Life Time Member of Executive Professional And Entrepreneurs, presented September 11, 2008
• Nominated for the Sung Ok Kim “Distinguished Social Work Award”, Presented June 17, 2010, Chicago Public Schools
• Publication Award presented by the National Association of Black Social Workers, Illinois South Suburban Chapter (SS-ABSW) October 2007.
• Published: Mastering Challenges: Therapeutic Interventions in the Classroom. ISBN: 978-1-4184-4204-6 (8.5×11 Paperback). ISBN: 978-1-41847-387-7 (E-Book) Published: 5/14/2004. Available Amazon.com; authorhouse.com, can order from any bookstore

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

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Ms. Allye Doolittle, MSW, LCSW, LMSW, LBSW, Clinical Family Therapist, James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital, Tampa, FL

Q. Ms. Doolittle, why did you choose social work as your profession?

I have to say that social work chose me. My career path to social work was not a straight line. It was more of “S” because I was both a business and criminal justice major, and worked for several years in those fields prior to earning a social work degree. My interest came from substitute teaching and having to address the tragic loss of a student. This loss led to a series of counseling sessions with the student body, and from this, I found that I felt the rewards of helping the students. This realization led to pursuing a second Bachelor’s degree, one in social work.

Q.How have minority social workers advanced professionally because of changing perceptions, attitudes, and political climates?

Minority social workers have contributed greatly to the professional “face” of the social work profession by enlarging the career path. Traditionally speaking, many Euro-Americans represented the face of this career, and minorities were considered to be consumers of in-kind and/or monetary benefits, or minorities were usually represented in legal actions or family services. Thus, it was customary for a minority person to be the beneficiary of services, not the professional lending advice or counseling. However, today the professional face of social work has become a melting pot. It is no longer a rarity for a minority person to have a professional face and the credentials to serve anyone who require services.

The changing face of the Professional Social Worker has upgraded this art form by proving minorities can give from their hearts, no matter their own personal challenges, and despite their own journey, which for many continues to make them great advocates for their clients, since many have used higher education to lead and to model for their clients and communities.

The changing face of Professional Social Workers continues to challenge old attitudes and perceptions that minorities are just receivers of benefits. Instead we are change agents and educators living and working our brand of social change one client at a time–which has impacted the current political climate as our voice resonates, “many hands can carry a heavier load.”

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

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Ms. Uzezi Ajomale, MSW, Senior Case Manager, South Alabama Regional Planning Commission, Mobile, AL

Q. Ms. Ajomale, why did you choose social work as your profession?

Throughout the years, I was told that I was great with people, easy to talk to, understanding and caring. Initially, I had planned and began taking computer science courses and almost completed the program, when I made a career change. I was encouraged to take a career assessment test and the first career option that came up was social work. At this time, I never heard anything about social work and did not know what social workers did. When I researched the job description and the salary, I really knew that I did not want to be a social worker at that time. I thought to myself, all that work for that little pay. However, my heart and mind kept gravitating in that direction. Eventually, I decided to give it a try and even with its challenges, I find it rewarding when I think of the changes I have been able to make in the lives of others.

Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest professional achievement was when I worked as a Foster Care Social Worker and had the privilege of ensuring the adoption of a very large sibling group of children into a family. The children had experienced a great deal of hardship; their difficulties were also the common thread that kept them united. With the help of a hardworking and dedicated team, the children were able to remain together and were adopted into one family. This was rewarding and a great joy to me, because usually, other large sibling groups in foster care tend to remain in the system for a long time and/or are generally separated from each other.

It has also been an honor to work with the elderly population as well. I enjoy listening to their life stores and helping to ensure their needs are met; treating them with kindness, restoring their dignity, and encouraging them as well. This often helps to reduce their stress, gives them hope, and makes their load feel lighter. As a little child and up to the present, I have always enjoyed being in the presence of elders. Back home in Nigeria, I preferred to sit with them, listen to their discussions and learned from their words of wisdom. Although this is my current career path, I also receive immeasurable gifts of wisdom, experience, and know never to take life for granted.

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

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Lt. Michael D. Gatson, ABD, LMSW, ACSW, Marriage & Family Therapist, Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, Wichita, KS

Q. Lt. Gatson, why did you choose social work as your profession?

I have always been a proponent for helping others in any manner that I can. In 2005, I began my journey to become a social worker because of my desire to positively affect the lives of others ethically, legally, and morally. For me, no day is ever the same in the life of a social worker.  I enjoy the daily challenges and the environment to use my analytical skills on a consistent basis. I appreciate this profession as it allows reaching those individuals who are in need of guidance and encouragement in their lives.

Q. Please tell us about your education and career.

I have completed the course requirements toward my PhD in Psychology, in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Walden University, and I am working diligently on my dissertation titled: Lifestyle activity and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults: Rural and urban dwellers in North Louisiana.

I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Grambling State University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northwestern State University. I have worked in several areas of social work including administration, school social work, violence and injury prevention, hospice, and home health in both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health settings.

I have taught as a field instructor for Grambling State University, Louisiana State University and Wichita State University Masters of Social Work Programs and as a Professor at the University of Phoenix at the Bossier City, LA Campus and at Butler Community College – Andover Campus. Furthermore, I have served as the Trauma and Injury Prevention Program Director for Louisiana State University Health Science Center School of Medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana and have provided presentations to the community on a variety of topics, including ATV Prevention, Intimate Partner Violence, Fall Prevention, Safety & Awareness, Grief & Loss, Documentation, and Depression.

I am currently serving as the Marriage & Family Therapist at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. I provide a full range of mental health services including: individual therapy, group work, marital and family therapy, readjustment counseling, case management, coordination and facilitation of optimal psychosocial functioning. In addition, I am currently serving as a clinical consultant for patients of the Mobile Vet Center (MVC) where I am providing clinical case consultation and assistance to the MVC Counselor on highly complex cases. I offer instruction/training and consultation in assessing and counseling combat veterans with PTSD to VA medical centers, private sector mental health agency professionals and others on combat veterans and PTSD. I was most recently commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Medical Reserves.

Q. How have minority social workers advanced professionally because of changing perceptions, attitudes, and political diversity?

Seeking counseling has shown an increase among minorities in the US in the past several years. Because of this increase in the minority community, a need for more minority social workers has increased also. Thousands of veterans who return home from the Iraqi war and other military deployments are minorities, and they often find it easier and/or more comforting to discuss their personal issues and tragedies with individuals with whom they can identify with. Therefore, racial pairing of clients and social workers has become one of the primary focuses of the Veterans Administration community. Moreover, there has been a tremendous reduction in the hiring process time at the federal government level. For this reason, a career in social work has become more attractive to minorities. With the changing face of US politics, I truly believe people are even more inspired to pursue their dreams and meet every expectation and fulfill every goal they set for themselves.

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

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Ms. Benette Waugh DeCoux, M.ED (Retired) Court Appointed Special Advocate, Head Start Director, and the Parent Coordinator for the Follow Through Program, Clayton, OH

Q. Ms. DeCoux, why did you choose social work as your profession?

I chose social work to do advocacy for youth in need of intervention due to circumstances beyond their control. These youth ranged from those in special facilities for the severely disabled who needed 24/7 care, children abandoned, available for adoption and waiting for a placement, and children surrendered for adoption. In other words, my area of expertise was Placement Services for youth out of their home, some wanting to be reunited and others who became wards of the state.

After a foundation of child welfare, I was prepared for school social work after graduate school. I expanded my learning by becoming a mediator, having been trained by a grant from the Juvenile Court. I took the advanced mediation hours in another county to be better prepared for various types of mediation as a volunteer experience. I also expanded my volunteer services by becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the Juvenile Court. CASA never has enough volunteers and it is one way for me to give back to the community, which has been a blessing to me. It was also another avenue to being an advocate for youth, my passion.

Q. How have minority social workers advanced professionally because of changing perceptions, attitudes, and political climates?

I believe minority social workers have taken advantage of scholarships, grants, and sacrificed to advance professionally. In other words, their tenacity has been advantageous. I cannot speak to their attitude, only to the drive necessary to succeed in an ever competitive environment. The terminal degree is seen more often as a necessity to succeed which is commendable, and younger adults are not stopping until they obtain it.

The need for social workers is greater than ever before in hospitals, assisted living facilities, the school districts across the country to screen for mental health and provide services to keep youth in school. The Veteran Administration Medical Centers need services for returning vets. For example, family services are needed for those left behind when military personnel are deployed to war zones. In addition, social workers are needed to provide mental health and debriefing for those who are undergoing PTSD before, during and after their return. Also, some soldiers and veterans will need services for a long time due to brain trauma and loss of limbs, vision, hearing, and homelessness.

And what does the political climate have to do with all the above needs of citizens of all ages? Everything! Every adult should be an advocate for the well-being of family, community and economic growth where they live. Every social worker should be an advocate for his or her profession and for the clientele they represent. In that way, they are educating others on the needs and services of a population worthy of respect and/or understanding.

Selected Honors

• Appointed to the Counselor and Social Work Board by Governor Richard Celeste, 1988
• Spoke at the Joint World Congress of the International Federation of Social Workers and the International Association of Schools of Social Work, July 25, 1996 in Hong Kong. Topic: Truancy Mediation
• National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter Social Worker of the Year, 2000. Region 7
• National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award, 2003, Region 7

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

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