Press Release

November 12, 2002

Photo CaptionRemembering The Shapers of California's Social History:
CALIFORNIA SOCIAL WORK PIONEERS HONORED AT FIRST HALL OF DISTINCTION LUNCHEON NOVEMBER 14, 2002

City Controller Laura Chick To Be Guest Speaker; George D. Nickel Award for Outstanding Service Honors Dr. Barbara Solomon

(Los Angeles, Calif.) -- Twelve California pioneers in social work and public service are the first individuals to be honored with induction into the California Social Work Hall of Distinction at the Inaugural Luncheon to be held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History on November 14.

The Hall of Distinction was established by the California Social Welfare Archives, a non-profit organization which for the past 17 years has served to recognize social work pioneers throughout the State and preserve their personal histories and contributions for present and future generations. Initiated by the University of Southern California School of Social Work, the Archives is creating access points to its historical database at social work schools and key social service agencies throughout the State.

"Our first inductees into the Hall of Distinction represent the breadth and depth of the 19th and early 20th century social welfare concerns in California," notes Monika White, Ph.D., President of the Archives. "Remembering their work serves as an historical record and an inspiration to the social work profession."

The twelve inaugural honorees were true pioneers in the social welfare arena in California during the early to mid-twentieth century. Now all deceased, the Hall of Distinction honor will ensure that their contribution to the welfare of California is preserved for the future. Drawn from diverse geographic areas and ethnic groups, their work has shaped the judicial system, social work education, immigration rights, children's services, legislative initiatives, religious institutions, mental health, the private business sector and government services. "While not all of the eight men and four women were professional social workers," according to June Simmons, Co-Chair of the Hall of Distinction, "they each made a unique and far-reaching impact on the social fabric of California and, in many instances, the nation, and epitomized the ideal of the public servant".

The twelve honorees are: Emory Bogardus, Zdenka Buben, Gardner Bullis, Milton Chernin, Norris Class, Arlien Johnson, Biddy Mason, Joe Maldonado, George Nickel, George Nishinaka, Lydia Rapoport and Charles Schottland.

Laura Chick, Controller for the City of Los Angeles, former councilwoman, and a social worker by training, is the guest speaker. In addition, the George D. Nickel Award for Outstanding Service is to be presented to Barbara Solomon, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Professor at the U.S.C. School of Social Work.

The Hall of Distinction Inaugural Luncheon at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, located in Exposition Park, starts with a silent auction at 11 a.m. and the program begins at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $65. per person and is open to the public.

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