NASW Mourns Loss of Past President Mildred “Mit” Joyner
Monday, July 10, 2023
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Posted by: Valerie Arendt
WASHINGTON, DC
– The National Association of Social Workers is devastated by the
passing of Mildred "Mit" Joyner, DPS, MSW, BSW, LCSW, who served as
president of the organization from July 2020 through June 2023. We offer
our condolences and support to her husband, daughters, grandchildren
and all who love her.
Over a remarkable career, President Joyner served every major social
work association in various volunteer leadership roles and mentored
thousands of professionals across the country. A proud Howard University
and Central State University HBCU graduate, she established scholarship
funds for social work students of color, showcased emerging leaders in
the profession, and celebrated the contributions of numerous unsung
pioneers in social work.
In her most recent Social Work Advocates column
Joyner wrote, “My advice to all members is to please commit to reading
the code of ethics yearly. Some social workers seem to forget the
purpose of social work, often placing personal values over professional
values.”
During her term as president, NASW reviewed its policies, procedures,
and levels of access to create a more just, diverse, and inclusive
environment. The Association increased public awareness of the social
work role in promoting social justice, addressing trauma, and improving
mental health and well-being for all communities.
Joyner was also enthusiastic about increasing member engagement with
NASW and uplifting the voices of diverse members of the profession,
including younger social workers, social workers of color and social
workers who are LGBTQIA2S+. And she encouraged social workers to get
involved in NASW leadership and members to participate in the
association’s elections.
President Joyner created the Facebook “Essential Chats with Mit”
series — 23 online forums that examined social justice through a social
work lens. And earlier this year, she hired a new CEO to ensure NASW
remains forward-facing and focused on social justice advocacy.
“NASW has a responsibility to prepare and assist all social workers
in their duty to eliminate systemic racism and achieve liberation for
all racial and ethnic groups; serve as a major disruptor and take
deliberate actions against the uprising hate of the LGBTQIA2S+
community; protect, uplift, advance, and advocate for reproductive
rights; promote a fair, livable wage; and ensure pay equity for all
social workers across our nation,” she wrote recently.
Joyner led NASW during the global pandemic and the nation’s racial
reckoning. Her advocacy on voting rights expanded NASW’s visibility and
impact during the 2020 and 2022 elections and created new connections
with the Biden-Harris administration.
“President Joyner was an extraordinary role model in teaching,
leading, and community activism for more than 30 years, focusing on the
areas of gerontology and multicultural issues. She served in multiple
leadership positions in the largest social work organizations, including
NASW, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the Association of
Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), the International
Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and the International
Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). Mit represented the social work
profession domestically and internationally with undeniable passion,
grace, and strength,” says NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW.
“Our profession has lost one of its brightest stars.”
A lifelong Pennsylvania resident, President Joyner began her career
as a child welfare worker in the Chester County Children, Youth, and
Families Agency. She then held leadership positions at West Chester
University School of Social Work for more than 25 years, establishing
the first MSW program in the Pennsylvania state system of higher
education.
She also served as board chair of Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a
national education and support organization, and as board chair of the
Chester County Food Bank. She served on the boards of the NASW
Foundation and NASW Assurance Services, Inc. and was the first Black
woman to serve on the board of directors for DNBFIRST, a community bank.
“Mit was an absolute positive force in social work and a wonderful
person. My thoughts are with her family and colleagues,” said Joan
Davis-Whelan, MSW, RSW, President of the Canadian Association of Social
Workers and President, North America Region of the International
Federation of Social Work. Joyner was also the President and Vice
President of the IFSW North America region.
In 2010, Joyner was an invited presenter at the Congressional
briefing for the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work
Reinvestment Act. In March 2011, she received the BPD Lifetime
Achievement Award, and in 2013 was named a Social Work Pioneer
by the NASW Foundation. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award in
2019 from the NASW Pennsylvania Chapter, having participated in
countless conferences, legislative advocacy days, award ceremonies and
"welcome to the profession” events for new graduates across the state.
“President Joyner often said that we stood on the shoulders of giants
in the profession such as Whitney Young, a social work legend. We now
stand on the shoulders of Mit Joyner, a true social work pioneer, a
voice for social justice and the power of social work, even in these
turbulent times,” said Yvonne Chase, PhD, LCSW, ACSW, NASW President.
Mit Joyner's homegoing service will be held on July 17
beginning at 9:30 a.m. at St. Agnes RC Church in West Chester PA. For
more information, or to send cards or flowers, visit DeBaptiste Funeral Homes Inc.
The National Association of Social Workers
(NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of
professional social workers. It 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.
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