Five Decades of Social Work Leadership in New York City
Robert Schachter, DSW, ACSW The National Association of Social Workers is not just an organization. It is a symbol of professional social work
in New York City. In the minds of many people it represents the singular and collective achievement of thousands of
professionals who have received a formal, graduate (usually) university-based education and who have dedicated their
careers to improving the lives of individuals, families, groups and communities.
If we were to examine the activities of any one professional social worker we would witness an array of knowledge,
values, and skills being brought to bear in the circumstances of people's lives when personal crises are most acute and
personal resources are most challenged. When we then think of the entire community of social workers serving the city,
we have to be impressed by the magnitude of what is being addressed and the contribution to the social fabric of New
York.
Such images of social work reflect one particular moment in time. When we consider that NASW has been
symbolizing the profession in just this way since 1955, we then begin to grasp the total accomplishment that social
workers have achieved.
The New York City Chapter was formed at the same time the national organization came into being, and both
resulted from a merger of seven organizations:
Social workers have always been inclined to form into professional groups. It has been noted that even in the late
1800's social workers were seeking each other out in cities in the Northeast to form clubs and committees. These groups
eventually united and became national in scope. By 1925, what had already become the American Association of Social
Workers established a chapter in New York City. The petition for the chapter's establishment is hanging framed in the
Chapter Board room.
The profession goes back well before NASW's formation, but its existence reflects the major accomplishment of
establishing social work as a single, unified profession. Not only was this not an easy accomplishment, we still
experience the tug of different interests and perspectives. NASW continues to be the major vehicle for keeping the
profession together. Yet within it, we can see the remnants of the original groups and clubs in the existence of the three
dozen committees of the Chapter. We can also see the reflection of the original seven organizations that merged in '55.
The whole story of organized professional social work activity in New York City is enormously detailed and rich,
but only a little remains with us today. For example, we know that the AASW was drafting legislation to get the state
to regulate social work practice back in 1936 and was still working toward this end in 1954 when planning for NASW
was well underway. It then took until 1965 to obtain a state law. Political realities made it necessary to accept several
compromises, including title protection instead of restricting practice. This issue is still being addressed today.
The Chapter was also in the forefront of advocating for civil rights legislation in the early 1960's. This was a time
when a thousand members would turn out for a meeting, and 15,000 signatures would be collected and delivered to the
state's two U.S. Senators on the steps of the Capitol in Washington. It was also a time when Chapter leaders would get
a meeting with the President of the United States.
Times have changed. But NASW's continuous history with the better part of the 20th century enables us to draw
from the lessons of the past in order to continue to represent the best the profession has to offer. On the cover of this
issue we take a moment to pay tribute to the Chapter's leaders since 1955. They symbolize a rich heritage upon which
we are building for the future.
(April 1992)