NASW Foundation National Programs

NASW Social Work Pioneers^®

Mary Cobb DeShazo (1917- )

Mary Cobb DeShazo had a great interest in children. It evolved from her teacher training at Alabama College, her work with children at church, and her experience as a first grade teacher in the early 1940’s. She assisted in training the first Head Start staff in Alabama. During her 20 years with the Bureau of Family and Children’s Services, she supervised the unit responsible for licensing and providing consultant services to the state’s day care facilities.

The Mary Cobb DeShazo Award was established to be given annually to individuals in the child care field. This honor was given to Mrs. DeShazo by the Alabama Conference of Child Care.

Although most of her career with Pensions and Security had been spent working with child caring facilities, she has also been a caseworker, and served as county director in two counties in Alabama. She earned a master’s degree in social work from Tulane University.

Social Work Pioneer - 1993