NASW Foundation National Programs

NASW Social Work Pioneers^®

Clara Mae Lloyd (1908-1976)

Lloyd was one of Alabama's foremost leaders in the field of child welfare. She held positions in the state office as field representative and then became supervisor in the Division of Foster Home Care and Adoption. In the 1960's, she served as local project director in Dallas County of a field foundation project related to the strengthening of services to ADC families. One of the findings of this project reinforced the concept that better services were provided when case loads were limited.

A native of Georgia, Lloyd graduated from Judson College. She studied at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and later attended Jones Law School. She was active in a number of professional organizations, including the Child Welfare League of America, APWA, the Alabama Conference of Child Care, the Mental Health Association, Alabama Conference of Social Work, and NASW.

She provided the principle leadership in the establishment of the Central Alabama Youth Services. Its group home for girls in Selma is named in her honor in recognition of her many years of service to children and youth in the state and county. She was known as a friend to all children and to spoke out, with strong conviction, about the protection of children and the value of supportive services for their parents. Her resourcefulness and competent guidance influenced many workers and community groups to improve their practices and programs. Her last work was done at the county level in Dallas County. She transferred there after her many years working in the state office.