Porter Raymond Lee: (December 21, 1879 — March 8, 1939) Social Worker, Educator and Author Introduction: Porter Lee is most remembered for his contributions to the advancement of social work education and in particular development of the casework method. He worked in Charity Organization Societies in Buffalo, NY and Philadelphia, PA before beginning his…
Continue Reading »Monsignor William Joseph Kerby (1870-1936): Writer, Sociologist, Catholic Social Work Organizer By: Michael Barga Introduction: Monsignor William J. Kerby helped galvanize Catholic social workers in the creation of a number of organizations, most notably the National Catholic Conference of Charities in 1910. He was a prolific writer and editor and spent most of his life…
Continue Reading »Clarke A. Chambers (1921 – 2015) — Researcher, Professor of History and Founder of the Social Welfare History Archives at the University of Minnesota Introduction: Clarke Chambers has been recognized for his excellence in teaching, research and writing, and service to the University of Minnesota. However, his most lasting contribution will be his long…
Continue Reading »Bishop Thomas Joseph Shahan (1857-1932): First President National Conference of Catholic Charities, Long Time Rector, Catholic University of America and Noted Historian By: Michael Barga Introduction: Thomas J. Shahan was a Catholic historian, professor, and Rector of The Catholic University of America (CUA) for the majority of his adult life. Shahan’s main contribution to social…
Continue Reading »Helen Keller (June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968) – Advocate for the Deaf and Blind, Author, Socialist and Suffragist Introduction: Helen Adams Keller was born a healthy child in Tuscumbia, Alabama on June 27, 1880 in a white, frame cottage called “Ivy Green.” On her father’s side she was descended from Alexander Spottswood,…
Continue Reading »Mary Church Terrell was one of the first African American women to receive a college degree. She was a charter member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Colored Women’s League of Washington. She also helped found the National Association of Colored Women, and served as its first national president. The Mary Church Terrell house in the LeDroit Park neighborhood of Washington was named a National Historic Landmark
Continue Reading »Lester Blackwell Granger introduced civil rights to the social work agenda as a national and international issue. He focused attention and advocacy energy on the goal of equal opportunity and justice for all people of color, even while focusing on the condition of black people in the United States. He is credited with leading the development of unions among black workers as well as integrating white unions. He led the integration of black workers in defense industries and the beginnings of racial integration in the military services during World War II.
Continue Reading »Monsignor John Augustine Ryan (1869-1945): Economist, Theologian, Writer, Social Reformer By: Michael Barga Introduction: Msgr. Ryan wrote a number of influential works including his Ph.D. dissertation “A Living Wage: Its Ethical and Economic Aspects.” In 1909 he published “A Programme of Social Reform by Legislation.” Other works included: “Distributive Justice” in 1916; “Bishops’ 1919…
Continue Reading »Written by Michael Barga. Monsignor George Higgins “The Labor Priest” (1916-2002): Worker’s Rights Advocate, Journalist
Continue Reading »Abraham Epstein (1892-1942): Economist, Advocate for Social Justice and Founder of an Influential Organization Advocating for Social Insurance: the American Association for Old Age Insurance. Introduction: Abraham Epstein was an economist who was devoted to the causes of social justice and social insurance. He was a national leader in the social welfare movement in…
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