Public Citizen of The Year Award

The NASW Public Citizen of The Year Award honors an outstanding member of the community whose accomplishments exemplify the values and mission of professional social work. Nominee can be a social worker.

Criteria

The award recipient must:

  • Make a significant contribution to an area or population of concern to the social work profession such as at-risk or vulnerable populations; quality of life in communities; social issues.
  • Act with courage
  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership
  • Exemplify social work values and ethics

Nomination Procedure

Chapters and individuals may nominate a community leader who meets the above criteria by submitting the following:

  1. Completed official awards nomination form
  2. A summary that describes:
    • What the nominee has accomplished
    • What risks the nominee took to achieve results
    • Who the beneficiaries were
  3. Curriculum vita
  4. Three (3) endorsements

To ensure the nominee’s eligibility, please adhere to the nomination guidelines. Use clear, concise, descriptive examples of activities and accomplishments.The National Awards Committee selects and makes recommendations to the NASW Board of Directors, which approves the award recipient.

Questions?


Please contact us at governance@socialworkers.org or 202-336-8270.

To learn more about the NASW Foundation Awards, please visit the Foundation's website

2022 Distinguished Awardees


  • Emerging Social Work Leader
    Monique Bingham, MSW
  • Public Citizen of the Year
    Dan Broyles, LMFT
  • Social Worker of the Year
    Patrice A. Palmer, DD, CDKA, MSW, LSW
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
    Nancy D. Miller, LMSW
  • Public Elected Official of the Year
    The Late Honorable Congressman John Lewis
  • Knee/Wittman Lifetime Achievement
    Denise Juliano-Bult, MSW
  • Knee/Wittman Outstanding Achievement
    The Honorable Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm, MSW
  • International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award
    Silas W. Kelly, LMSW