Reproductive Freedom Advocate and Social Worker Lynne Walter Receives NASW-NC Advocate of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1/27/2022

Contact: Kay Castillo, Director of Advocacy, Policy and Legislation,
919-828-9650, kcastillo.naswnc@socialworkers.org

(Raleigh, NC) - The National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter (NASW-NC) is proud to award Lynne Walter, MSW with the 2022 NASW-NC Myrna Miller Wellons Advocate of the Year Award. Ms. Walter was selected to receive this award because of her strong and active advocacy efforts on issues important to social justice and social welfare.

Ms. Walter is a macro-focused social worker, having received her MSW in Community Organization and Communities and Social Systems from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Previously, she worked with migrant farmworkers, worked to support survivors of domestic/interpersonal violence, to prevent sexual violence, and believes that all students deserve an equitably and fully funded public education system.

Since 2017, Ms. Walter has worked as the Advocacy and Organizing Manager at Pro-Choice North Carolina. Since embarking on this role, Ms. Walter has continuously sought out ways to educate and engage others on social justice matters. She has provided educational opportunities for others to learn about the status of reproductive rights at the local, state, and national levels.

Tara Romano, Executive Director of Pro-Choice North Carolina says of Ms. Walter, “Lynne’s advocacy, whether it is for Medicaid expansion, expanding access to abortion, an end to police violence, fair maps and voting rights, racial equity, immigrant rights, or quality public education always centers the people most impacted by the policies crafted by politicians and elected officials. Lynne’s knowledge of the state legislature in particular, is extensive. Her willingness to share that knowledge to empower people to be their own advocates demonstrates her commitment to building a movement that brings more people’s voices into our democracy and into the public policy arena.”

“I am extremely honored to receive the Myrna Miller Wellons Advocate of the Year Award,” Ms. Walter said, “and I am flattered beyond measure to be recognized by my social work peers. As social workers, it is not only our duty to advocate with others, but it is our ethical responsibility. For if we don’t advocate for social and racial justice at all levels—both micro and macro—then we cannot hope to achieve social change. But if we all come together as a profession and as advocates to fight for social and racial justice, we will tip the scales towards a world that is truly equitable and just for all people.”

Ms. Walter will receive the 2022 NASW-NC Myrna Miller Wellons Advocate of the Year Award at the 2022 NASW-NC Virtual Ethics Conference and Awards Celebration on Friday, March 18, 2022.

The National Association of Social Workers North Carolina (NASW-NC) is a membership organization of professional social workers in North Carolina. NASW promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.