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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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Robert Morris Photo
Robert Morris* (1910-2005)

Robert "Bob" Morris had a profound influence on long-term care policies and available services for the elderly, as well as an increased understanding of social gerontological issues. His research, many consultations, appointments, and prolific writings have all contributed to a better understanding of the importance of social policy to the planning and delivering of social services and to the well-being of people, particularly the elderly.

Morris was born in Akron, Ohio and received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron in 1931, his Master's of Social Work Degree from the School of Applied Social Sciences at Western University in 1935, and his DSW Degree from Columbia University, New York School of Social Work in 1959. He was a Professor of Social Planning at Brandeis University, Florence Heller Graduate School University for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare; and was a Professor Emeritus from 1959-1979.

In 1970 he became Director of the Levinson Policy Institute at Brandeis, thus he was a very instrumental figure in the development of the university's role in social policy studies and research. Morris received research awards from the Ford Foundation, Veterans Administration (VA), National Science Foundation, and the Department of Health Education and Welfare (HEW), and had been a Visiting Lecturer Professor at several other schools of social work.

He served on Technical Advisory Committees of the National Institute of Mental Health, Veterans Administration, Social Security Administration, and the HEW Office of Human Development Services. His publications included several books and numerous articles in the fields of social planning, gerontology, and medical care. He was the recipient of special awards from the Hayes Fullbright Program for Italy, the Ford Foundation, the Max and Anna Levinson Family Trust, and the Treuhaft Fund.

Morris found time to carry out a number of committee and editorial assignments for NASW. He was the Editor of the Encyclopedia of Social Work 16th Edition, 1971; the Editor of the Journal of Social Work from 1960-1972; and was an advisor to other NASW publications. He worked, particularly, with the National Council on Aging, the Gerontological Society of America (where he was President from 1966-1967), and the American Association of Retired Persons. He lived in Baltimore, Maryland.




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