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NASW Pioneers Biography Index


The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is pleased to present the NASW Social Work Pioneers®. NASW Pioneers are social workers who have explored new territories and built outposts for human services on many frontiers. Some are well known, while others are less famous outside their immediate colleagues, and the region where they live and work. But each one has made an important contribution to the social work profession, and to social policies through service, teaching, writing, research, program development, administration, or legislation.

The NASW Pioneers have paved the way for thousands of other social workers to contribute to the betterment of the human condition; and they are are role models for future generations of social workers. The NASW Foundation has made every effort to provide accurate Pioneer biographies.  Please contact us at naswfoundation@socialworkers.org to provide missing information, or to correct inaccurate information. It is very important to us to correctly tell these important stories and preserve our history.  

Please note, an asterisk attached to a name reflects Pioneers who have passed away. All NASW Social Work Pioneers® Bios are Copyright © 2021 National Association of Social Workers Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

    
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E. Franklin Frazier Photo
E. Franklin Frazier* (1894-1962)

E. Franklin Frazier is noted for his studies of the black family and the black middle class. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Frazier received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University in 1916. He studied sociology at Clark University. He earned a master's degree in 1920 and a doctorate in 1931. In 1922, Dr. Frazier became a director of the Atlanta University School of Social Work. He remained in this position for five years before leaving Atlanta as a result of controversy created in the white community by his article in Forum Magazine on racial prejudice.

For three years, he served as a research sociologist at Fisk University. In 1934, he became head of the Department of Sociology at Howard University. He remained in this position until his retirement in 1959. Prior to the establishment of a separate School of Social Work at Howard, Dr. Frazier also directed a social work program there for eight years.

Dr. Frazier's career as an educator included pre-collegiate teaching as well as national and international university teaching. As a sociologist, he contributed widely to the knowledge of black families through his research studies and publications. His published works include: The Negro Family in Chicago, The Negro Family in the United States, Black Bourgeoisie, and Race and Culture Contacts in the Modern World.




Newly Inducted NASW Social Work Pioneer Hortense McClinton 2015

Nominate A New NASW Pioneer

Please note, Pioneer nominations made between today’s date through March 31, 2023, will not be reviewed until spring 2023.

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. To learn more, visit our Pioneer nomination guidelines.


New Pioneers 

Congratulations newly elected Pioneers!  Pioneers will be inducted at the 2024  Annual Program and Luncheon. Full biographies and event details coming soon.


2024