Social Welfare History Project People Page 21

Beers, Clifford Whittingham

This entry is about Clifford Whittingham Beers, the founder of Mental Health America and a pioneer in advocating for improved treatment of mental illness. It was excerpted from the booklet “Clifford W. Beers: The Founding of Mental Health 1908-1935” produced by The Human Spirit Initiative, an organization with a mission to inspire people to desire to make a difference and then act on it. Note: Michael Gray, working with Ted Deutsch, Deutsch Communications Group authored the narrative from which this entry is taken.

Scudder, Vida Dutton

Vida Dutton Scudder (Dec. 15, 1861, Madura, India—Oct. 9, 1954) — Educator, social worker, author, social gospel movement activist By Angelique Brown, MSW Introduction: Vida Scudder was involved in social change inside and outside of the Episcopal Church. A self described class-conscious and revolutionary socialist, she spent a large part of her life attempting to…

Mott, Lucretia Coffin

Lucretia Coffin Mott (January 3, 1793 – 1880) — Quaker, Abolitionist, Woman’s Suffragist. By Angelique Brown, MSW Introduction: With a supportive Quaker community, husband and family Lucretia Mott was able to combine her work on behalf of women’s rights and the abolition of slavery. A strong advocate on both issues, she was confident in her…

Stone, Lucy

Lucy Stone (August 13, 1818 – October 18, 1893) – Abolitionist, Lecturer, and Reformer By Angelique Brown, MSW Introduction: A U.S. pioneer in the Woman’s Suffrage movement, Lucy Stone was also an abolitionist, lecturer, and social reformer. A woman of independent spirit, she is widely known for achieving several “firsts:” as the first woman in…

Washington, Booker Taliaferro

During his era, Booker T. Washington exerted much power on behalf of the African American community. Though many Black intellectuals disagreed with him and his tactics, his way of thinking appealed to many middle and working class Blacks. His connections with the prominent White Americans allowed him to serve as a conduit for funds that served African American community.

Lindsey, Inabel Burns

Inabel Burns Lindsey (1916-1983): Social Worker, Professor and First Dean of the Howard University School of Social Work Inabel Lindsey was born in St. Joseph, Missouri and she prepared for a teaching career. After receiving her undergraduate degree. she entered the New York School of Social Work as an Urban League Fellow from 1920…