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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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Harriett Bartlett Photo
Harriett Bartlett* (1897-1987)

To understand the social work profession as a whole, was the goal of Harriett Bartlett. With singleness of purpose, she applied her considerable abilities of analysis and conceptualization to this endeavor throughout her career of practice, teaching, and consultation. Her own practice experience and writing was focused in the area of medical social work. However, her vision was one of finding the commonalities of the various specialties through research and through deeper understanding of practice. The culmination of her efforts is seen in The Common Base of Social Work Practice, published in 1970. It is a theoretical work which is utilized by social workers to the present time.

Bartlett received her BA from Vassar in 1918; a Certificate in Social Science Administration from the London School of Economics in 1920; and an MA in Sociology from the University of Chicago in 1927. She worked as a caseworker, supervisor, and consultant at the Massachusetts General Hospital between 1921 and 1940. She taught at the University of Southern California and engaged in a series of special projects and studies. In 1943, Bartlett worked as a medical social work consultant at the US Children's Bureau in Washington. She did several surveys of hospitals in the east and midwest for the American Association of Social Workers in 1945-46.

Bartlett was professor of social economy at the Simmons College School of Social Work from 1947-1957. She developed the curriculum and led the medical practice sequence. During this period, she also served on the Council of Social Work Education and chaired the inception of the Hollis-Taylor Report.

Harriett Bartlett retired to an active life of writing and to committee service to NASW and other organizations. She received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Boston University in 1969. During her 30 years of active retirement, Harriett Bartlett's seminal thinking, her publications, and her ongoing work with organizations continued to benefit the social work profession.




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