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What does allyship mean? And how do you become a successful ally? Learn how to cultivate allyship skills that empower communities and promote social justice.
Charles Figley had been home from his military service in Vietnam for 6 years when he found himself standing in front of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., surrounded by about a thousand of his fellow Vietnam veterans. It was 1971, and to the applause of the other protesters, Figley and his peers approached the Capitol, lifted their fists high, and tossed their own war medals onto the building’s steps as a sign of protest against the war.
Professor Parker Sternbergh's professional path was on a set course until her life took an unexpected turn. Learn more about her journey to social work.
As a young adult, Dr. Maurya Glaude began working for the federal government, helping to connect disabled individuals and seniors with much-needed financial assistance. But although Dr. Glaude valued her contribution, she realized that something was missing. Despite her efforts, many of her clients remained isolated, and the inequalities in their lives persisted. That was when Dr. Glaude discovered the holistic approach to compassionate care that would define much of her career in social work
Facing and enduring a natural disaster such as a hurricane, flood, or tornado can be a frightening and challenging experience. It’s also a fact of life for most people who live in the Southeast United States.
Dr. Richard Ager is a good listener. “I’ve always known that I wanted to do some kind of work in the area of counseling people,” he explains. At a young age, he had a distinct knack for talking with people, listening to their needs, and serving as a sounding board for others.
In the 21st century, crime TV shows such as Law and Order: SVU, Criminal Minds and CSI: Miami have captured the public's fascination with the legal and criminal justice system. An episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit that was aired in 2015 brought to light the impossibly high caseloads required of Child Protection Services (CPS) workers. The caseworker supervisor—played by comedian, TV talk show host and Oscar Award-winning actor Whoopi Goldberg—voiced the challenges of working in a field that is often times used as a scapegoat for society’s major problems such as poverty, drug addiction and crime, often leading to child abuse and neglect.
Police officers and social workers have a long-standing history of working together to ensure the safety of communities and their residents. The discipline of social service has become a necessary aspect of community policing, as police officers do much more than enforce laws and fight crime.
A social worker comforting a client by holding their hands.
Catherine McKinley, an assistant professor at the Tulane School of Social Work, has followed her heart and her academic interests. Today, she is developing a body of knowledge about the resilience of the United States’ Indigenous peoples.