Macro Social Work Matters: Social Workers Prominent at DNC Convention

Last night, at least four social workers (or those with social work degrees) had prominent roles at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, including Michigan’s own Debbie Stabenow.

Learn a little more about each of them and their role at the convention:

SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW, MSW (D-Michigan) gave the state delegation's vote to the convention, telling the acting chair that 81 Michigan delegates went to Clinton, and 66 went to Sanders. Senator Stabenow made history in 2000 when she became the first woman from the State of Michigan elected to the United States Senate. She attended Michigan State University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in 1972 and an MSW magna cum laude in 1975.  She worked with youth in public schools before running for public office.

(www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/07/michigan_democrats_share_dnc_2.html)

REP. KYLIE OVERSEN, BSW (North Dakota) reported her state's vote during the roll call for the party's presidential nomination. In March 2015, she was elected the Chair of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL at age 26, making her the youngest state party chair in the United States. Rep. Oversen received her BSW degree from the University of North Dakota and is currently attending UND’s School of Law. (www.grandforksherald.com/news/politics/4081859-grand-forks-kylie-oversen-announces-delegate-votes-democratic-national)

SENATOR BARB MIKULSKI, MSW (D-Maryland) submitted Hillary Clinton's name to be the Democratic Party's presidential nominee on Tuesday, a symbolic role that nonetheless brought significant exposure.

The Maryland Democrat, a longtime Clinton supporter, delivered a short address that served as a motion to nominate her former Senate colleague. Mikulski, the longest-serving woman in Senate history, is expected to speak again at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night.

“Yes, we do break barriers,” Mikulski said. “And so, on behalf of all the women who've broken down barriers for others, and with an eye toward the barriers still ahead, I proudly place Hillary Clinton’s name in nomination to be the next president of the United States of America.”

Senator Barbara Mikulski received her MSW from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

(http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-barbara-mikulski-will-offer-hillary-clinton-s-name-for-nomination-20160726-story.html)

THADDEUS DESMOND, MSW graduated from Smith College with a master's degree in social work in 2013. He is now a social worker at the Support Center for Child Advocates in Philadelphia, where he works with abused and neglected children. Desmond could bring one guest to the DNC. He chose the social worker who adopted him and pushed him toward a career in child welfare advocacy, Philly.com reports.

His remarks read “In her early 20s, Hillary Clinton spent time at the Yale New Haven Hospital researching child abuse. She saw children who had been beaten, burned, and neglected. The experience turned her into a lifelong champion for kids in need. I know from my own life how important that work is.

My decision to become a child advocate social worker was influenced by my own social worker. She was so committed to my future that she not only advocated for me — she adopted me. Today, I proudly call her Mom. Every kid deserves an advocate who truly cares for them, and they have one in Hillary Clinton. Hillary knows that when you fight for our kids, you're fighting for our future. That's why I'm with Her.

I'm really honored to be able to speak at the Democratic National Convention — and also to speak on behalf of all social workers," he said.”  (http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/07/smith_college_social_work_grad.html)

KRISTEN KAVANAUGH, MSW graduated from the University of Southern California with a master’s degree in social work in 2012. She served on the Truman National Security Project's Defense Council and her Military Acceptance Project was recognized as a Champion of Change by the White House.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwRW8znHvlo)

REP KAREN BASS, MSW (D-California) graduated from the University of Southern California with a master’s degree in social work in 2015. Congressmember Karen Bass was re-elected to 

her third term representing the 37th Congressional District in November 2014. Congressmember Bass serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs where she is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congressmember Bass is also working to craft sound criminal justice reforms as well as protect intellectual property right infringements that threaten the economic health of the 37th District.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqeSUd3L9Es)

As far as we know, no social worker held a speaking role at the Republican National Convention held last week in Cleveland. If you know of social workers who participated in either convention please feel free to add their stories/links below.