Celebrating Leadership in Social Justice: The 2024 Stabenow Political Leadership Award

On October 17th, during our Legislative Education and Advocacy Day conference, NASW-Michigan had the honor of presenting the Stabenow Political Leadership Award. This award recognizes a social worker or ally who has exemplified exceptional political and legislative leadership through advocacy, activism, and an unwavering dedication to social justice. Named after Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan’s first female U.S. Senator, the award pays tribute to her trailblazing contributions to politics and her background in social work, holding both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Michigan State University. As a long-standing member of the Congressional Social Work Caucus, Senator Stabenow has made significant impacts in our field and is retiring this year after a remarkable career of service.

This year’s award recipient is Capitol Services, an organization that has been a steadfast ally to NASW-Michigan and the broader social work community. Established in 1986, Capitol Services operates on the belief that everyone deserves a voice in the political process and have worked tirelessly to ensure that the perspectives and needs of their clients, including NASW-Michigan, are heard and understood.

For over 25 years, we have had the privilege of witnessing the dedication and passion of the Capitol Services team firsthand. They are not only advocates for our legislative efforts in Lansing but also deeply committed to the social justice issues that drive our work. Their strategic guidance and support have been invaluable in amplifying our advocacy on crucial topics like licensure reform and social justice.

Capitol Services is more than just our lobbyists; they are true partners in our mission to create a more just and equitable society. Their impact is profound, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in the pursuit of social justice.