National Social Work Month

National Social Work Month

National Social Work Month is celebrated during the month of March. This is a month to acknowledge all that social workers do for our society and celebrate their constant contributions to communities all around the United States. National Social Work Month recognizes the dedication and empathy that workers across the country provide to their clients. Social workers work with individuals, families, and communities to improve people’s lives and work to solve social justice issues. It can oftentimes take emotional tolls on the workers due to long hours with lower pay, however, these workers still fight to improve the quality of life and advocate for others. Make sure to take some time during the month of March to recognize this profession and many of the great things these workers do for the communities around them.

National Social Work Month was introduced in 1963 by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). The goal for this celebration at the time was to encourage public support for the professional of social work by targeted ad campaigns on TV. These ads were a huge hit for the public earning over 35,000 letters of support for the profession. By 1984, the United States formally recognized National Social Work Month as an annual celebration during the month of March.

Each year there is a new theme for National Social Work Month. Each year the theme is based on a social issue that the NASW wants to address. The theme for 2021 is Social Workers are Essential. This is because social workers are essential to the well-being of the community. Social workers are trained to address personal and systematic barriers for individuals, families, and communities. The goal of the profession is to create a positive change in the lives of those that they are working with.

National Social Work Month – Quotes from EVOLVE Staff:

All social workers may have chosen the profession for different reasons, however, after talking with the staff at EVOLVE, I was able to learn about why they personally chose this field.

“I chose social work as a profession because I not only wanted to facilitate and support change among individuals and communities, but also systematically as well. In social work you can do all of those things. I want a better world for my beautiful brown baby and I want a better world for other families and my community.”

McKenzie McMillian

“I chose social work because I wanted to be an advocate for change and impact policy to better the world for individuals, children, and families. I hoped to, and hope to, ensure there is always a podium and a megaphone for marginalized communities.”

Brooke Overland

“I chose to go into the social work profession with the intent of pursuing a career in adoption. I was lucky to start my career in adoption and I love it! I love helping children find loving, forever families and seeing them thrive in their new homes while their adoptive families seek to help them maintain birth family connections.”

Kelli Wieker

“To me, being a social worker means advocating, being passionate, and having hope despite the circumstances. You learn about how resilient individuals are and workday after day to ensure their voices are heard. You promote and create change no matter how big or small with hopes to impact at least one person.”

Lisette Cando

During the month of March, take some time to learn more about the positive contributions of the social work profession and thank a social worker for all of their hard work and dedication to this field of work.

Author: Samantha Potocnik– Samantha is an intern at EVOLVE and a student at the University of Wisconsin River Falls.

Resources:
National Today
Social Workers
National Day Calendar

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