>   Our Work   >   Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards   >   Recognition Awards

Recognition Awards

2025 Awardees pictures
The NASW and NASW Foundation Awards program recognize leaders in the profession and in our communities who embody social work values and ethics.  Our award recipients have accomplished the extraordinary and we have been honored to recognize them. 
The NASW Foundation Awards recognize outstanding achievements and highlight significant contributions to the social work profession with two awards - the Knee/Wittman Health and Mental Health Achievement Awards and the International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award.  Through identifying those who exemplify the very best in the field we honor and advance the profession. 

NASW National Awards


The NASW National Awards recognize leaders in the profession and in our communities who fully embody social work values and ethics. Our past award recipients have accomplished the extraordinary and we have been honored to recognize them. Read More >>





NASW Foundation / NASW Chapter Partnership


The NASW Foundation, as the tax-exempt subsidiary of NASW, is available to all NASW Chapters to house funds that are to be used for scientific, educational, and charitable purposes, and for which tax deductibility by the donor is desired. Learn More >>





Dr. Flavio Marsiglia 2016 Knee-Wittman Lifetime Achievement Recipient With Emcee Gary Bailey

Nominations 

Information on the 2025 nomination deadline will be posted in late summer/early fall--please check back then. 

2025 Distinguished Awardees

NASW and the NASW Foundation are pleased to announce the recipients of their 2025 recognition awards. Please join us in congratulating our esteemed colleagues who will be celebrated at the NASW National Conference scheduled for June 15-19, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Chicago, Illinois.

  • National Social Worker of The Year
    Victor R. Armstrong, Sr., MSW (NC)
  • National Public Citizen of The Year
    Michelle Navarro Ishiki, LCSW, CCS, CSAC (HI)
  • National Lifetime Achievement Award
    Georgia J. Anetzberger, PhD, ACSW, LISW, FGSA (OH)
  • Emerging Social Work Leader
    Jordan Alexandra Steiger, MPH, MA, LSW (IL)
  • Knee/Wittman Lifetime Achievement
    Joan Levy Zlotnik, PhD, ACSW (MD)
  • Knee/Wittman Outstanding Achievement
    Robyn L. Golden, MA, LCSW, ACSW (IL)
  • International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award
    Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges (GA)