Exploring the Impact of National Social Work Month and the Legacy of One of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.'s Founders

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National Social Work Month is an annual observance held in March to recognize and appreciate the vital contributions of social workers. These dedicated professionals play a crucial role in our communities by advocating for social justice, providing support to individuals and families, and addressing various social issues.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) defines social work as a profession that helps individuals, groups, or communities enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning and creating societal conditions favorable to this goal. Social work practice involves the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to help people obtain tangible services, counseling, and psychotherapy, help communities or groups provide or improve social and health services, and participate in legislative processes.

In the United States, social work has been around for over a century, with notable pioneers such as Jane Addams, Frances Perkins, Whitney M. Young Jr., Harry Hopkins, George Edmund Haynes, Harriett Rinaldo, Antonia Pantoja, Diana Ming Chang, Dorothy Height and Jeannette Rankin.

Social work practice has 3 levels. At each level, social work professionals provide slightly different services to target populations.

·        Micro social work: At the micro level, social workers provide one-on-one, family and small-group services addressing a wide range of social issues. These may include housing support, substance abuse counseling and mental health therapy.

·        Mezzo social work: Social workers who operate at the mezzo level work with groups of people, such as in a school, prison, hospital, or neighborhoods. They may help students struggling academically, address substance abuse recovery with prison inmates or help coordinate care for patients who are admitted to hospitals for long-term care.

·        Macro social work: Macro-level social work encompasses policymaking, research and community-based initiatives. Social workers at this level of practice are more likely to focus on and help address larger societal issues like homelessness, substance abuse, healthcare and more.

Social work is a diverse field with various specializations in different areas such as Veterinary, Aging & Geriatric, Military, Health/Medical and Managed Care, Child &Family, Criminal Justice, Hospice & Palliative Care, Substance Abuse & Mental Health, Developmental Disability, School, Administrative & Management, Occupational & Employee, Policy & Planning, Community, and so much more.

On March 22, 1984, exactly 40 years today, the White House under the administration of Ronald Regan officially designated March as National Social Work Month. This acknowledgment underscored the importance of supporting the profession and celebrating social workers’ contributions.

Triumphant Arizona Cleaver Stemons, pursued her Graduate & Post graduate studies at Howard University and at the Pennsylvania School of Social Work. She was responsible for chartering numerous undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States. While she was a student at Howard University in 1920, she was one of the five founding members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and its first president. In 1933, she accepted a position with the Philadelphia Department of Public Assistance. After 1933, she worked as a social worker in Philadelphia, working with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and for the city's Department of Public Welfare. Her words resonate even today:

“This country of ours must oppose movements that divide the races and seek an economy that will feed, clothe, and house the nation, without regard to race, creed, or national origin.”

These words emphasize the need for a society that transcends divisions and prioritizes the well-being of all its citizens, regardless of their backgrounds. It calls for an economy that provides for everyone, irrespective of race, beliefs, or where they come from. Triumphant Arizona Cleaver Stemons advocated for a society where everyone’s basic needs were met, regardless of their background. Her vision transcended time, urging us to work toward a world where compassion, understanding, and equality prevail. In summary, Triumphant Arizona Cleaver Stemons was not only a trailblazer in founding Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. but she was also a dedicated social worker and advocate for justice. Her personal life was intertwined with her commitment to making a difference, and her legacy continues to inspire us today.

It’s a time to recognize and appreciate the incredible contributions of social workers who tirelessly support individuals, families, and communities. These dedicated professionals advocate for social justice, provide counseling, connect people with resources, and empower others to overcome challenges.

May we continue to strive for a world where unity prevails, and where compassion and fairness guide our actions. 

EMPOWERED WOMEN, EMPOWER WOMEN!

Empowered Women Empower Women is a beautiful sentiment that highlights the importance of supporting and uplifting one another. When women come together, share their strength, knowledge, and encouragement, they create a powerful force for positive change. Whether it’s in the workplace, community, or personal relationships, empowering each other leads to progress and resilience.

So, let’s celebrate the achievements of women, amplify their voices, and continue to build a world where all women can thrive!

Please Join us as we amplify the voice of one of our member’s!

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Empowered Women Empower Women

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Donna Sherrer-Gantt

Empowered Women Empower Women means to make someone stronger and more confident; especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights. The only person on earth that needs empowering more than Black women is the Black child. I believe that if we empower the Black woman, we in turn empower the Black child.      

The late, great Malcolm X once stated “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.”  Black women have faced discrimination and adversity from other races, and their own race due to the intersection of race and gender. Although this is the reality for Black women, we still manage to be one of the most educated demographics. Black women make up two-thirds of the Black college undergraduates. Between 2002 and 2008 the number of businesses owned by Black women rose by 19%, generating $29 billion in sales nationwide. This leap to leadership was twice as fast as all other firms.

There are studies of the lived experiences in the workplace of Black Women. Studies conclude that Black women are independent, competent, and demanding of respect which are all classic leadership traits. Black women lead with passion and have a strong grounding in their faith. Black women, albeit adversity, are making a difference in the lives of children and making organizations they lead better. Increasingly National Black Women organizations such as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated and When Black Women Gather (both of which I am a member of) provide Black women with the support structure needed to support one another, collaborate, empower self, and empower one another. This allows us to take our control back, to be visible when others desire invisibility, we are successful when others fail through oppression. We must continue to lift as we climb.

I read an article written by Katherine Phillips: Black Women are Succeeding Rapidly. It inspired and reminded me of our ZETA principles of scholarship, service, sisterly love, and finer womanhood during Black History Month and as we look at the precepts that “elitism and socializing had overshadowed the real mission of sororities-to address and correct the problems of society, particularly, those plaguing the African American community.” Empowered Women Empower Women.

EOZ Member Spotlight

It's only so often that we have the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of the people we care about. On October 6, 2023, one of our own will be celebrated as a Community Awards Achievement Honoree presented by the Destined for Greatness Outreach Youth Center, Inc. I caught up with our fellow EOZ Member to ask a few questions and to get her take on how it feels to win such a prestigious award?

Question: Tell us a little about who Sebrina Stokes is and what inspires you?

Answer: I am a person who believes that I was created to worship God and help others. My parents were my inspiration and they instilled in me to always be kind to others and treat people with respect.

Question: Where were you, and what were you doing when you found out you had received this award, and what was your first thought?

Answer: "I was at home checking my personal emails after making a few phone calls to parents. A little disappointed with a couple of my students' negative behavior. I saw that the email was from DFG. I clicked on the email, read it and read it again. My first thought was "Wow!" this is AWESOME! I was extremely excited and begin to share the great news right away with my family and friends."

Question: In your own words, what does this award mean to you?

Answer: "This award means that my works are not in vain. Even when I think things are going unnoticed, someone is always watching. It means that my small contributions matter. It means that the time I've put in in the community makes a difference. It means sacrifice, hard work, persistence and perseverance".

Beautiful and Poignant Words from a Finer Woman. Thank you for your honesty and transparency. Well to our EOZ member and sister, we see you and we love you. We celebrate with you and wish you many more awards and celebratory opportunities.

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