Alabama Conference of Social Work Centennial Month

Proclamation

By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, the Alabama Conference of Social Work was organized in 1916 and a reorganization of the Conference occurred in 1921 following World War I under the direction of Governor Kilby; and

WHEREAS, social work developed in the last century in response to poverty, homelessness, mistreatment of prisoners and persons with mental illness, and the plight of widows and orphans; and

WHEREAS, social workers have played key roles in every major social reform movement, from settlement houses to labor reform, to the New Deal, to civil rights; and

WHEREAS, many issues we take for granted today – Social Security, child labor laws, the minimum wage, the 40-hour work week, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, humane treatment of persons with mental illness – came about because social workers saw injustice, acted, inspired others, and supported legislation for change; and

WHEREAS, professional social workers continue to provide services in health and mental health, child welfare, aging, corrections and other areas to increase opportunities for all members of society, and to advocate on behalf of the poor, the vulnerable, and the voiceless; and

WHEREAS, professional social workers help to alleviate society’s most intractable problems, working one-on-one with troubled children and families, organizing communities for change, and administering social programs; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Conference of Social Work was instrumental in supporting the development of the Public Welfare Department in the State of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Conference of Social Work is celebrating its 100th year of service to its members and the citizens of Alabama:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the month of February, 2016, as

Alabama Conference of Social Work Centennial Month

in the State of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 1 day February of  2016.

Robert Bentley
Governor