Shirley J. Better

Author, university professor and co-founder of the National Association of Black Social Workers

Shirley Better’s induction into the California Social Work Hall of Distinction is both very well deserved and timely. Better received her B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Illinois, her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan, and her Doctorate in Social Welfare from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Having watched the Watts Rebellion in 1965 from her home in San Francisco, she made the decision to travel to Los Angeles with a determination to make a difference in the lives of the many African-American residents facing challenges resulting from racism and discrimination. And make a difference she did, both locally and nationally. As a community organizer, Better saw the need for an organization that focused on the needs of the people. In 1968, she served as cofounder of the Los Angeles Chapter of Black Social Workers. She is one of the Founders of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), which was created in April 1968 after approximately 400 Black Social Workers walked out of NASW’s national conference.

The Los Angeles Chapter of NABSW recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Better, along with a core group of founders, worked diligently over the years to make the organization a success. The Chapter members taxed themselves to purchase a building in 1978. It is used to conduct forums, lectures, and social affairs. Annually, it offers worthy social work students a financial scholarship. At the 50-year celebration, a documentary was unveiled, recording the organization’s progress over the years under Better’s leadership.

Better joined the faculty at the California State University Los Angeles (CSULA) School of Social Work in 1969. University faculty are typically expected to participate in scholarship, teaching, and community service. This is especially relevant to schools of social work. Better’s contributions in all three areas are well known. She published articles on the Black experience and practice in the African-American community. Her books, published in 2002 and 2008, addressed the important topic of institutional racism. Better’s teaching is respected by her colleagues and the many students who took courses from her over the years. Courses were taught on women’s issues, community organization, social policy, institutional racism, and social work practice in communities of color. She served as Chair of the social work program from 1990-1992. As noted, her service to the community has been outstanding.

Better is recognized nationally for her presentations, papers, and consultation services. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley appointed her as a Los Angeles City Building and Safety Commissioner, where she became the first African American woman to serve. Better received numerous awards across her career. Among them, the National Association of Black Social Workers Lifetime Achievement Award (2003), UCLA Alumni of the Year award (1997), California State University Los Angeles Outstanding Woman Faculty Member Award (1998), and the Council on Social Work Education Minority Fellowship Awards (1983, 1984, 1985).