1898-1998 100 Years of Professional Social Work Celebration of Children Josephine Nieves

Our centennial tapestry is bright with the brilliant colors of success -- our children. The well-being of children has been the corner stone, the guiding light of our profession for more than 100 years.

As we celebrate our centennial year we recognize our achievements and look to the challenges of the future.

The world is home to 2 billion children and every year some 12 million die before they turn five. Only a tiny, tiny portion are healthy, happy, with bright futures. So many are not. While we celebrate lives of hope, we also celebrate the potential of all our children. They are our challenge, our future. Each generation of children is born in hope. It is that legacy, that hope, these children we celebrate today.

We place this wreath as a symbol of the joy and hope that children bring to the world. We place this wreath as a symbol to honor social workers’ gift of service to children. We ask you to celebrate with us this moment and all our children.

(WREATH IS PLACED)

(Be seated at end of applause.)