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NASW Social Work Pioneers®

The NASW Social Work Pioneers® program honors members of the social work profession who have contributed to the evolution and enrichment of the profession. The Pioneer Program identifies and recognizes individuals whose unique dedication, commitment, and determination have improved social and human conditions. Since its launch in 1994, the Pioneer Program has inducted almost 900 accomplished individuals to its rolls.  A comprehensive collection of their stories can be found within the Pioneer Biography Index.

Celebrating NASW Social Work Pioneers® in a New Way

We are excited to share that the Annual Pioneer Event will now be part of NASW’s Annual Conference each June.  For many years, this special celebration was held in the fall.  By moving it into NASW’s Conference, we will elevate the prestige of the program and bring the recognition of our Pioneers to a broader audience of leaders and professionals from across the field to celebrate the incredible contributions they have made to our profession.

This change allows the Pioneer Event to reach a broader audience of leaders, colleagues, and friends who gather for the Conference each year.  It also means that our Pioneers will be celebrated not just in one dedicated event, but throughout the Conference experience – woven into the sessions, gatherings and moments where our community comes together.

The Annual Conference itself will take place in Washington, DC, every other year, and in cities across the country on alternating years.  This rotation ensures that more members of our community can participate, connect, and join in celebrating the Pioneers. The 2026 Conference will be held in Washington, DC, where we will honor both the Class of 2025 and the Class of 2026 Pioneers.

During this transition year, we are accepting nominations for the 2026 Pioneers through Friday, November 14, 2025. We encourage you to nominate leaders whose vision, dedication, and impact deserve to be recognized by our community.

We look forward to honoring the Pioneers in this new format and ensuring their legacy continues to inspire all of us.

Pioneer Nominations Accepted On A Rolling Basis 


Completed NASW Pioneer nominations can be submitted throughout the year and are reviewed at the June Pioneer Steering Committee Meeting.  To be considered at the June meeting, submit your nomination package by March 31.  Learn More >>


The NASW Legacy Project Preserves History


The NASW Legacy Project was created in 2001 to preserve NASW's historical record. The Project enables NASW to identify and preserve the photographs, books, papers, and other documents that will tell the NASW story for decades to come. Read More >>



Newly Inducted NASW Social Work Pioneer Hortense McClinton 2015

Nomination Deadline

Nominate a new member of the NASW Social Work Pioneers®! 

The annual Pioneers nomination submission deadline is March 31. The Pioneer Steering Committee will consider completed packages received by March 31 at the June Pioneer Steering Committee Meeting.  Follow this link to the Pioneer Nomination Application Form >>


New Pioneers 

Congratulations newly elected Pioneers!   

2025

  • Keith A. Alford 
  • George Appleby* (1942-2024)
  • Maurice C. Daniels
  • Patricia Littlefield Ewalt
  • Johnnie Hamilton-Mason
  • Samuel A. Hickman
  • Dawn Hobdy
  • David Sterling Hogan
  • Jane Edna Hunter* (1882-1971)
  • D. Lynn Jackson
  • John McNeil* (1927-2023)
  • Lori Popp Moss* (1959-2025)
  • Gilbert A. Ramirez
  • David William Springer
  • Saundra Starks
  • Stephen Viehweg
  • James Herbert Williams
Lit Candles Glittering In Dark



Memorials and Tributes

To honor living individuals, deceased colleagues, mentors, friends, or loved ones, by making a tax-deductible contribution please visit our Memorials and Tributes section. All gifts will be acknowledged on the NASW Foundation website and gifts of $100, or more, will be acknowledged in NASW's new magazine Social Work Advocates, which is published six times each year. You can also leave tributes to NASW friends who have passed away on the NASW Foundation Blog.