WASHINGTON, D.C.
-- The National
Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) is pleased to announce
Ambassador Wendy Ruth Sherman is recipient of the International Rhoda G. Sarnat
Award for elevating the image of social workers by working at state, national
and international levels to make the world safer, expand roles of women and
pursue fairness and justice.
“As the first
female State Department Undersecretary of Political Affairs from 2011 to 2015 Ambassador Sherman showed an extraordinary talent for leadership and
communication that enabled her to use her social work expertise in tackling
humanitarian crises around the globe, including in Ukraine, Syria, and
Nigeria,” said NASWF Director Robert Arnold.
“Ambassador
Sherman is perhaps most well-known for leading the U.S. negotiating team for the
2015 Iran nuclear agreement,” Arnold said.
The International
Rhoda G. Sarnat Award is given to an individual, group, or organization that
has significantly advanced the public image of professional social work. This
monetary award is made possible from an endowment fund established by a
generous contribution from long-time NASW member Rhoda G. Sarnat (1915-
2018) and Bernard Sarnat, MD (1912-2011).
Ambassador
Sherman, MSW, is deserving of the award because throughout her career she has
always identified herself as a social worker, including when she made frequent
appearances as a commentator on PBS, MSNBC, CNN and other news programs.
Ambassador Sherman, a Baltimore native, got her start in social work
helping women who were battered and people who were low-income in urban areas. While in social work school, Wendy
was an intern at the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) National Office where she was involved in creating
NASW’s Board-mandated National Commission on Women’s Issues.
She became
administrative assistant to former Sen. Barbara Mikulski when Mikulski was
still a member of the House of Representatives. She served as campaign manager
for Mikulski, who is also a social worker, in her successful Senate campaign. Mikulski went on to serve 30 years in the Senate.
Sherman was also
Special Secretary for Children and Youth in Maryland, a cabinet position;
director of Maryland’s Office of Child Welfare; founding president of the
Fannie Mae Foundation; and director of EMILY’s list, a political action
committee that aims to help elect pro-choice, Democratic female candidates to
office.
“Ambassador
Sherman has shown the public the tremendous skill social workers have in
improving the human condition, whether they work at a local, national or
international level,” Arnold said. “The NASW Foundation is proud to present her
with the International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award.”
Go here for more information on the Rhoda G. Sarnat Award.