Simmons School of Social Work marked its Centennial in 2004. Begun in response to the need to professionalize charity work, it was a joint project of Harvard University and Simmons College. Originally called the Boston School for Social Workers, SSW was the first of its kind in the country to offer full-time study in the field of social work.
Dr. Jeffrey Brackett, the School's dedicated, first director observed, "Our world of today is so full of the words 'social services' that we may easily fail to recognize the newness and significance of social work as an important movement, distinguished from the work of scattered pioneers.... The meaning of all this is the growing effort to apply the lessons of knowledge to the ancient impulse of neighborliness, with increasing recognition that what helps or hurts one person concerns all." His words address his era, yet they clearly resonate 100 years later in our own time.
A special Centennial celebration for the School was held on April 3, 2004 featuring the keynote address, "Looking Toward the Future in Unsettled Times" by Ruth Grossman Dean, Ph.D., a professor at the School. To view this remarkable address please click here.
To further commemorate this milestone, the School has produced a special commemorative CD “Simmons School of Social Work: at its Centennial”. A PDF of the contents of the
CD can be downloaded here. You may also order a complimentary copy by contacting 617-521-3900 or emailing your request to joann.williams@simmons.edu . Please include your name and mailing address with your order.
Download
The Centennial Celebration Brochure and Registration Form (1.3MB PDF file)
Simmons School of Social Work: at its Centennial CD Presentation
(728KB PDF file)
