Washington — The National Association of Social Workers
(NASW) is pleased to honor Nancy Humphreys, DSW, with the NASW
Lifetime Achievement Award for her impact on the profession and
society.
A past president of NASW— and, at the time, only the second
female president of the organization— Dr. Humphreys has a
long and accomplished professional history. Her academic work has
left an indelible mark, both here in the United States and abroad.
She served as dean of two schools of social work, Michigan State
University and University of Connecticut, where she also had teaching
responsibilities in policy, community organization, social welfare,
family and children, political social work and women’s issues.
Since 1991, Dr. Humphreys has worked with what is now the Republic
of Armenia to establish social work education in that country.
The result of her efforts is a BSW and MSW program at Yerevan State
University.
Dr. Humphreys founded the Institute for the Advancement of Political
Social Work Practice (IAPSWP) at the University of Connecticut
School of Social Work in 1995, and now serves as the organization’s
director. This Institute is the most recent in a long series of
efforts and leadership in the growing role of social workers in
politics. Although it is unique in its goals and projects, the
IAPSWP works closely with related organizations, especially the
political action arm of NASW under government relations. Dr. Humphreys’ extensive
experience in the field of social work facilitates that working
relationship.
Because Dr. Humphreys believes that social workers should seek
elected partisan political office and that political social work
practice is a legitimate specialization in the profession, her
students learn the framework and techniques for campaign management,
as well as how to become candidates for public office. She continues
to teach Policy and Planning, as well as courses in social environment
and women's issues, at the university.
As a leader during the feminist movement, Dr. Humphreys was appointed
by President Carter to serve on his National Advisory Committee
on Women's Issues. She co-authored the Human Services chapter of
the Committee's final report Voices for Women. Active in many women's
organizations, Dr. Humphreys has presented content and written
about a number of social service issues from a feminist perspective.
She has also been a member of a variety of organizations, including
the American Public Welfare Association Council, National Conference
of Social Welfare; has served on numerous boards of directors;
and was vice president of the Council on Social Work Education.
A member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Teaching
in Social Work and the Journal of Women and Aging, Dr. Humphreys has
extensive experience in publication. She has performed numerous
editorial reviews, and has authored papers and articles on such
subjects as women's issues, coalitions, family and children's services,
and political social work practice.
Since moving to Connecticut, Dr. Humphreys has served as a board
member of the Connecticut Association of Human Services, the Capital
Area United Way, the statewide United Way Strategic Planning Committee,
and was a member of the Simsbury Human Rights Committee. She assumed
the role of "Next Friend" to a child plaintiff which
resulted in the 1991 signing of the Juan F. vs. O’Neill Consent
Decree - a legal blueprint for increasing funding, staffing and
services standards. Personnel continue to implement Consent Decree
provisions in virtually all areas of service and administration,
in cooperation with a federal court monitor.
Dr. Humphreys currently chairs the Advisory Committee to the DCF
Training Academy. For many years, she served as the spokesperson
and co-chair of the Connecticut Coalition for Children and was
elected as the founding chair of the Parenting Education Advisory
Committee, which is responsible for implementing a state law requiring
parents to participate in parenting education at the time of divorce.
It is with great pride that we confer this award on Dr. Humphreys — she
has dedicated a lifetime to advancing the profession and social
work practice.
