National Association of Social Workers

Postage Stamp Advocated

Social work is one of few professions yet to be honored with a stamp.

Graciela Castex

NASW is encouraging members to help convince the U.S. Postal Service to release a commemorative stamp honoring social work.

NASW member Graciela Castex, a social work professor at Lehman College in New York, has been submitting proposals for a social work stamp for more than a decade. The Postal Service's Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee will only review a particular theme or idea once every two years, and Castex submitted her latest proposal in November 2004. As the committee reviews stamp themes in the coming months, it will base much of its decision on how many people write letters of support for an idea. Castex has turned to NASW to get the word out.

When Castex first embarked on this crusade, she was delighted to find a 1940 stamp honoring social worker and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jane Addams. A number of stamps recognized helping professions such as nursing and teaching. But social work was noticeably absent.

"I saw stamps honoring many important professions, but there was no stamp honoring social work," Castex said. "I realized there was a real need to recognize the incredible work that social workers — both at the clinical and policy levels — do every day."

NASW is gearing up to provide a number of different ways for members to get involved in Castex's effort. The association, for example, has created a sample letter that members can print out and send to the committee. NASW also is working to engage schools of social work and sister social work organizations to mobilize their students and members.

"A commemorative stamp would be a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about social work's many contributions to this country," said NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark.

• To read more about how you can get involved, click here.
• For the sample letter: click here

From March 2005 NASW News. © 2005 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. NASW News articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising, promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.