To the movement of social progress in California:
California Social Welfare Archives
Preserving our social welfare heritage and helping bring social equity through the records of people, history, and passion.
The mission of the CSWA is to collect and preserve documents and personal histories that illuminate the development of social issues and problems in the field of health and welfare in California, as well as the answers that have emerged to cope with such problems.
Above photo is of an unnamed social worker employed by All Nations Foundation in 1965.
CSWA collection #0421. Click here to see more images from this collection.
Renowned clinical social worker, theorist, educator and author,
Barbara Bryant Solomon.
Above photo is CSWA’s 1991 Mission Statement. In Feldman, F.L. (1991) Portrait of a Gentle Man: George D. Nickel. California Social Welfare Archives.
Photo from a social work recruitment flyer, circa 1955. CSWA archive collection #0454
Save the date!
2025 California Social Work Hall of Distinction Induction Ceremony
Date: November 15, 2025
Time: 4-8 PM PST
Location: Location: Marriott Irvine, 180000 Von Karman Avenue, CA - 92612
For the Continuation of our Programs…
How to Support Us
Please join us in building the CSWA Operations Fund to ensure long-term support for the California Social Welfare Archives so we can continue providing year long programming, such as our California Social Work Hall of Distinction, George Nickel Awards, and Oral Histories.
Your generosity ensures that we continue to honor those involved in bringing about social equity and to ensure that the contributions of social work leaders, innovators, and pioneers will be recognized, studied, and preserved for the future. Any size gift is welcome and important.
Guests enjoying CSWA 45th Anniversary Celebration, Pasadena 2024
Our Committees
Our Five Committees
There are currently five working committees within the CSWA: the Social Work Hall of Distinction Committee, the Diversity Outreach and Development Committee, the Membership, Operations, Governance & Finance Committee, Archival Collection and Oral Histories Committee and the Executive Committee.
Archival Collections and Oral Histories
The California Social Work Archives location & the Oral History interviews can be found here. Follow the link to explore more.
Nominations
Here is a quick link to the Hall of Distinction Nomination page. If you know of an individual you believe should be considered for inclusion in this distinguished group, we invite you to submit a nomination.
Our 45th anniversary celebration…
California Social Welfare Archives 45th Anniversary Celebration and Awards
The California Social Welfare Archives 45th Anniversary Celebration and Awards took place on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the Lomas Estate in Pasadena, California.
Presented by: CSWA, National Association of Social Workers-California Chapter, USC Suzanne Dworak Peck School of Social Work, and St. Johns Community Health Awardees: - Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy - Francis Feldman Excellence in Education Award - Dr. Barbara Ferrer - George Nickel Award - Pastor William D. Smart Jr. - George Nickel Award - Marisa Vasquez - Madeleine Stoner/Ralph Fertig Student Scholar Award -James DeBacco - Madeleine Stoner/Ralph Fertig Student Scholar Award
To follow along and view our digital program which contains all the tribute ads, credits, and additional history of the CSWA, please visit:
California Social Welfare Archives 45th Anniversary Celebration and Awards