Mary Richmond and the Image of Social Work (Commentary) (Report‪)‬

Social work has always been very conscious of its public image, a fact that has been strongly reinforced today by a vigorous media campaign by NASW to promote a positive image of the profession throughout the country (Pace, 2008). Current attempts to achieve this goal seem focused on building a perception that social workers are helpful, organizationally committed, and ultraresponsive to client needs (LeCroy & Stinson, 2004; Lewis, 2004). An additional perspective on such efforts can he gained by stepping back to review past attempts to burnish and fortify the social work image. One outstanding historical example is afforded by the work of Mary Richmond, one of the founders of social work in this country, who constantly sought to improve the public's understanding of and appreciation for the profession. In this article, I focus on her written efforts in this area, because they provide examples of her most sustained efforts to develop a positive image of social work. RICHMOND AND THE SOCIAL WORK IDEAL