WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a tribute to the strong spirit of the late humanitarian Neysa Fanwick (1982-2017), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Foundation proudly announces the creation of the Neysa Fanwick Endowment Scholarship, generously established by her family.
This scholarship is designed to support Master of Social Work students who are committed to uplifting vulnerable populations and addressing pressing health and societal challenges through effective solutions, mirroring Fanwick’s impactful endeavors.
Fanwick, a beacon of positive change and compassion, dedicated her life to advocating for historically marginalized individuals struggling with mental health issues. Her areas of focus included reforming unjust practices within the realms of criminal justice, foster care and education systems, and empowering those in need to recognize their inherent strengths and potential for growth.
Through this scholarship program, Fanwick's legacy of empathy and advocacy will continue to inspire, resonating deeply with those she touched.
A graduate of Tulane University with a Master of Social Work degree, Fanwick was hailed as a natural leader by her peers. Due largely to her acts of kindness and selflessness while supporting at-risk individuals, she was called an “angel” during her tenure at Louisiana Department of Health’s NO/AIDS, a federally funded health care center in New Orleans.
Fanwick’s influence reached far and wide, touching the lives and hearts of many, and leaving a void after her untimely death at the age of 35. Beyond her professional work, Fanwick’s generosity extended to Thailand, where she was a volunteer teaching English as a second language.
In her hometown of New Orleans, she participated in the leadership program, Girls, Inc., and supported the New Orleans Parish Police Department’s Mobile Crisis Unit Team.
Her legacy of boundless compassion and service serves as the cornerstone of the Neysa Fanwick Endowment Scholarship, aimed at encouraging new generations of social work leaders who embody her spirit of empathy and care.
A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded annually. Preference will be given to social work master’s degree candidate dedicated to addressing systemic injustices across various areas, including education, health care, criminal justice and foster care, and who show a commitment to providing innovative solutions that advance positive change.
Candidates must:
- Demonstrates either an interest in or prior experience working in health or mental health settings, alongside a demonstrated ability to develop innovative approaches.
- Be members in good standing of NASW.
- Have applied to or been accepted into a CSWE accredited MSW program.
- Specify the necessity for financial assistance.
No minimum grade point average (GPA) is required, but applicants should demonstrate strong graduation potential.