Social Work Spotlight: Member Profiles - Through the Generations

SOCIAL WORK SPOTLIGHT THROUGH THE GENERATIONS

“Stories are memory aids, instruction manuals and moral compasses.”

-- Aleks Krotoski, author, broadcaster, journalist and social psychologist

Top photos: Mary Dixon in 1957 (left picture) and Mary present day behind the scenes with her daughter Kathy Dixon (right picture). Both are social workers.

6 March 2020 | www.naswnj.org As social workers, our profession is built upon powerful stories—the legacy of passionate advocates, helpers, and change agents whose impact is felt throughout history. We look to their work, their words, and their struggles to better understand our communities, how to work with people, and ways in which our predecessors were able to come together, rally, organize, and affect change. Our daily work builds upon their knowledge and experiences, serving as memory aids as to how far we have come

and, in many ways, how much work we have yet to do.

Here in New Jersey, our social work community knows this to be true. Social workers of all ages, newly licensed and seasoned veterans, come together at NASW-NJ events to share their stories of challenge and triumph—adding to the growing legacy that makes our communities and our organization stronger.

In celebration of Social Work Month, the

SOCIAL WORK SPOTLIGHT THROUGH THE GENERATIONS

“Our work as social workers never ends,” says Sam. “The problems of today are those we had in the past. Poverty, crime, racism… these aren’t new challenges..." NASW-NJ team sat down with a few of our members, ranging in age from 21 to 95, and who collectively represent hundreds of years’ experience in service to others. Their stories have been preserved in video and will be shared this month in our Social Work Generations video. Below are some of their reflections. “I didn’t go to the marches in the south [in the 1960s]. I had children and a family to raise here, and I knew I couldn’t leave them,” shares Margaret Carne, LCSW, 87, and a lifelong member of NASW-NJ. “But I watched the protests, the marches in Selma, and I went to the rallies here. I marched in Morristown and I remember the feeling of that day and how it stayed with me. I was called to take more action… so I became a social worker.” Margaret still maintains a private practice, where she sees clients several times a week. She is a passionate advocate for the profession, and for students to learn from and apply the lessons of the past to present day. “I see how marches helped make change,” she shares. “I look at the rallies we had. The movement of people, the feeling we all had. We have to keep marching. We need to rally. We need to continue showing up and speaking truth to power,” she continues. “It’s the only way we affect change.” Often, social workers hear the call to service from within their own families. Parents and children experience a shared passion for advocacy, and the baton passes to the next group of change makers. Such is the case of Kathy Dixon, MSW, JD, and her mother, Mary Dixon, both of whom are social workers. “Social justice and social work were always part of our conversation and family. There wasn’t a time when NASW wasn’t on my kitchen table,” Kathy jokes. Mary raised her family with a knowledge of the world around them, the importance of being of service, and giving back to the community. “It has always been important to help others and it was part of our family culture,” Mary shares. “It was never a surprise when Kathy decided to pursue her [social work] degree.” While Kathy and Mary practice in different areas of social work, the calling to serve runs deep and is one they are both committed to sharing with the next generation through teaching, leading and mentoring the students of today. The day of filming, Sam Bailey, MSW, in his 80s, shared our waiting room with Brittany Macaluso, 21—a Senior in Monmouth University’s BSW program. We had the opportunity to listen to the two of them chat casually prior to filming. Sam had just retired in January 2020 following a second career in the field of criminal justice—where he originally intended to “work for just a short time” following his first retirement. They quickly found a shared passion for criminal justice social work, where Brittany also hopes to work someday, helping persons who have been wrongfully incarcerated. "...I was called to take more action… so I became a social worker.”

SOCIAL WORK SPOTLIGHT THROUGH THE GENERATIONS

Behind the scenes with Jennie Ellis.

The exchange of ideas between the two was inspiring and an easy reminder of how the social work torch is passed from generation to generation, through both formal and informal connection. Connected now, Brittany and Sam have the opportunity to build upon his legacy of work, allowing her to learn from his rich experiences and providing her a solid foundation to build her work upon—leveraging the lessons of the past with the fervor of youth.

“Our work as social workers never ends,” says Sam. “The problems of today are those we had in the past. Poverty, crime, racism… these aren’t new challenges. Sharing my experience is important,” he continues. “I’ve worked and seen a lot. I know some of the needs that exist. If I can pass this information to someone else, they’ll start off at a better place, hopefully helping people get the services they need, faster.” Indeed, the sharing of our stories among our profession is perhaps one of the most crucial activities a social worker can perform. It keeps the flame lit, reminds us from where we came, and illuminates the forward path. Our social work experiences, teachings, and ethics connect us across generations—from parent to child, teacher to student, and colleague to colleague—as we strive to build a better world.

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.”

-- Robert F. Kennedy, U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Senator