A Brief History of Social Work (for Social Work Month 2015)

Summary

This script chronicles the influential pioneers of social work, highlighting their advocacy for social justice and transformative impact on society. From Jane Addams' establishment of Hull House to combat poverty, to Mary Richmond's foundational work in social casework, and the tireless efforts of figures like Florence Kelly and Robert Hunter in labor and child welfare legislation, the narrative weaves a rich tapestry of resilience and advocacy. It underscores the profession's evolution and its pivotal role in shaping cultural attitudes towards poverty, social mobility, and welfare, inspiring continued commitment to social justice.

Takeaways

• 📚 The social work profession has a rich history of advocacy and challenging systems that hinder social mobility.
• 🏆 Jane Addams was a pioneer in social work, establishing Hull House and advocating for social justice, which earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.
• 🌟 Settlement houses, like Hull House, focused on addressing the root causes of poverty and provided services to immigrants and marginalized groups.
• 📈 Mary Richmond's research laid the foundation for social casework, emphasizing a person-centered approach to care.
• 🎓 World War I provided opportunities for social workers to apply their skills in new settings, such as the Red Cross's Home Service.
• 👶 Florence Kelly's work led to the creation of the first factory law prohibiting child labor and the establishment of the National Child Labor Committee.
• 📸 Lewis W. Hine's photographs of child labor helped to galvanize states into passing laws banning the practice.
• 🚨 Eda Wheeler's case against child abuse in 1874 led to the creation of the first child protection agency, the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
• 🌱 The Great Depression highlighted the role of social workers in public service and shifted cultural attitudes towards welfare as a federal responsibility.
• 🌈 Social workers played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for education, employment opportunities, and voting rights.
• 🏥 The integration of social work in healthcare settings began in the early 20th century, emphasizing the importance of considering patients' social factors in treatment.

Q & A

What is the significance of Jane Addams in the social work profession?

Jane Addams is a leading social reformer and a lifelong champion of social justice who founded Hull House in Chicago in 1889, which was part of the settlement house movement aimed at providing marginalized people with access to healthcare, education, and political power.

What was the purpose of the settlement house movement initiated by Jane Addams?

The settlement house movement, including Hull House founded by Jane Addams, was dedicated to addressing social problems such as infant mortality, factory working conditions, housing, and sanitation, and to giving immigrants and other marginalized people in cities access to essential services and political power.

Who was Mary Richmond and what was her contribution to social work?

Mary Richmond was a researcher who focused on poverty and social ills. Her book 'The Social Diagnosis' formed the basis of social casework, which is the precursor to today's person-centered care approach in social work.

How did World War I provide opportunities for social case workers?

World War I provided unique opportunities for social case workers through their involvement in war-related activities such as the Red Cross's Home Service, where they applied their skills to address problems faced by servicemen and their families.

What was Florence Kelly's role in labor laws and child labor?

Florence Kelly worked at the Henry Street Settlement and conducted surveys on working conditions in local factories. Her research led to the passage of the first factory law in Illinois prohibiting child labor under 14. In New York, she introduced the white label designation for employers following labor laws and safety standards and led campaigns that resulted in the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.

Who was Robert Hunter and how did he contribute to the fight against child labor?

Robert Hunter was a social reformer who commissioned Lewis W. Hine to photograph child labor in America from 1908 to 1912. Hine's images, which depicted the harsh realities of child labor, helped galvanize many states into passing laws banning child labor.

What was the first case against child abuse in the United States and who brought it?

The first case against child abuse in the United States was brought by Etta Wheeler in 1874, involving a child named Mary Ellen Wilson. Wheeler's efforts, with the help of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, led to the creation of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

How did the Great Depression impact the social work profession?

The Great Depression gave the social work profession a national stage, with the American Association of Social Workers testifying before the Senate on the crisis. Many social workers moved into public service, and the cultural attitude towards welfare shifted, making it a widely recognized responsibility of the federal government.

What role did social workers play in the Civil Rights Movement from the 1950s to the 70s?

Social workers played significant roles in the Civil Rights Movement, initiating programs in education and community-based planning, encouraging major corporations to hire more African Americans, and fighting for school desegregation, voting rights, employment opportunities, and public accommodations.

Who was Irena Sendler and what was her impact?

Irena Sendler was a Catholic Polish social worker who saved the lives of about 2,500 Jewish children in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. She smuggled out children under the pretext of inspecting sanitary conditions and kept records of all the children to facilitate post-war reunions with relatives.

How did Ida Cannon, Dr. Richard Kit, and Garnett Isabelle Pelton contribute to medical social work?

Ida Cannon, Dr. Richard Kit, and Garnett Isabelle Pelton helped establish the first social work department at the Massachusetts General Hospital in 1906. They created collaborative systems of practice that combined medical and psychological information with data about patients' living conditions, emphasizing the importance of considering a patient's social factors in their health.

Who was Sheila Ryan and what was her contribution to social work?

Sheila Ryan was a social worker who committed her life to social justice, volunteering for the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee and participating in Freedom Summers. She earned master's degrees in social work and public health and became the director of a special needs clinic supporting children and families affected by HIV/AIDS, co-authoring several chapters in a psychology handbook.