NASW Announces National Recognition Award Winners — Recipients “Exemplify the Values of Social Work”

Washington — Recipients of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) National Recognition Awards include a child welfare advocate, a proponent of social justice in Missouri, a champion for Native American people, and a U.S. Senator with a strong record of support for social work values.

Jane Bierdeman-Fike

Jane Bierdeman-Fike receives the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Bierdeman-Fike has a life-long commitment to the social work profession. She worked as a psychiatric social worker with the Missouri Department of Mental Health from 1955 until he retirement in 2000, including 38 years as director of social work at Fulton State Hospital.

She earned her MSW from the School of Social Service at St. Louis University and was a charter member of NASW in 1955. She has held leadership positions in the NASW Missouri Chapter and on the national Board of Directors. She now chairs the Missouri Social Work Museum Committee and was recognized as a NASW Social Work Pioneer by the NASW Foundation. She received a gubernatorial proclamation in 2000 from Governor Mel Carnahan in recognition of her years of service.

In 2003, Fulton State Hospital dedicated its staff development center as the Jane Bierdeman-Fike Building.

Bierdeman-Fike has worked for greater cooperation between social workers in the field and academic institutions and “is a rare practitioner who believes in writing up and presenting her practice experiences and interventions,” said Susan C. Tebb, dean of the School of Social Services at St. Louis University.

Bierdeman-Fike also established Fulton State Hospital's first social work supervisor of education and helped hundreds of social workers gain valuable on-the-job training. She has been dedicated to cultural competence and remains active on the Fulton State Hospital Cultural Competence Council.

Judith Schagrin

The 2004 Social Worker of the Year is Judith Schagrin from Maryland. She is honored for her avid work as a child welfare advocate and leader. She is assistant director of the Children's Services Division at the Baltimore County Department of Social Services and is also vice president of the NASW-Maryland chapter. Her work with NASW includes serving as chair of the chapter's Legislative Committee and a member of the Children, Youth, and Families Task Force. She also works with the Maryland Children's Action network and the Coalition to Protect Maryland's Children.

“Judith is deeply committed to the social work profession: She is an outspoken and articulate supporter of NASW and is a wonderful role model for those social workers who will follow her in public-sector employment,” said NASW Maryland Chapter Executive Director Janice Fristad.

Ben Bushyhead

Ben Bushyhead recognized as the 2004 Public Citizen of the Year. Ben Bushyhead has shown a strong commitment to working for the rights of Native American people and others throughout his career. The Public Citizen of the Year Award is given for significant social contributions by those who are not social workers.

Bushyhead, director of Community and Recreational Services for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has long been an advocate for equal opportunities for people of all races in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, education, racism, employment and poverty, according to John Eller, director of the Swain County, N.C., Department of Social Services.

Bushyhead, a native Cherokee, worked for the Intertribal Council of Nevada in the 1970's, establishing youth programs. He worked in North Carolina, Montana, and Oklahoma with Native American communities. From 1990 to 2000, he served as a pastor in Milwaukee. He also served as director of development of the Cherokee Center for Family Services, in Cherokee, NC.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow

U.S. Senator, and social worker, Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), recognized as the 2004 NASW Public Elected Official. Senator Stabenow has demonstrated her commitment to the values and ethics of the profession throughout her career.

She received her MSW from Michigan State University and was elected to the Ingham County, MI, Board of Commissioners in 1974. From there she went on to serve for 12 years in the Michigan House of Representatives and four years in the state Senate. She served two terms in the U.S. House representing Michigan's Eighth Congressional District and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000.

Her legislative work has addressed health care and prescription drugs, school finances, protection of children and families, domestic violence and environmental concerns. She has shown support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and for affirmative action. Stabenow was also the first sponsor of Michigan's social work licensure bill, which passed this year.

According to Maxine Thome, NASW Michigan Chapter Executive Director, Senator Stabenow has been a leader who has advanced public policy for disenfranchised and vulnerable populations across the continuum of age, race, and sexual orientation.

“She voted against the war in Iraq and has continually promoted human rights and dignity,” she adds.

For information about the awards, or to interview awardees, please contact NASW Communications at 202-336-8228 or media@naswdc.org

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington , DC , is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 150,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through its advocacy.