Social Work, Nonprofits, & Philanthropy
Essays by speakers in social work, nonprofit, or philanthropy professions.
Almy, Doris E.
Doris Almy, Public Relations Director of the Massachusetts Teachers Federation, explains how her trust in the omnipotence of God and the re-establishment of her faith allowed her to overcome her fears and anxiety, and discusses her belief in kindness and education as a relief from anxiety in the lives of others.
Bartlett, Florence Dibell, 1882-1954
Philanthropist and art collector Florence Bartlett describes how her belief in the unity of humanity developed during an encounter with Bedouins in the Sahara desert, and explains her decision to create a museum of folk art, which expresses that bond of unity between peoples.
Listen to the essay
Bartlett, Florence Dibell, 1882-1954
Philanthropist and art collector Florence Bartlett describes how her belief in the unity of humanity developed during an encounter with Bedouins in the Sahara desert, and explains her decision to create a museum of folk art, which expresses that bond of unity between peoples.
Listen to the essay
Carpenter, Ellen Waller
Ellen Carpenter, musician and philanthropist, describes her belief that prayer works and that the answer to the poverty and problems of the world is a spiritual one.
Listen to the essay
Connell, Arthur
Arthur Connell, National Commander of the American Legion, describes his belief that every human being has a purpose from God and the potential to do good, and that every circumstance happens for a reason, even the death of his only daughter.
Listen to the essay
Cousins, Norman – “A Game of Cards”
Norman Cousins, social reformer and editor of the Saturday Review of Literature, elaborates on the play of free will and determinism in the development of people and society and the detrimental affects fear can have on this development.
Cousins, Norman – “This I Believe”
Norman Cousins, social reformer and editor of the Saturday Review of Literature, describes his beliefs in both the individuality of the self and the unity of all humanity, as well as in a moral order derived from universal order; therefore, the poverty of others impacts his own condition, and he works to alleviate social problems.
Listen to the essay
Danforth, William H. (William Henry), 1870-1955
William Danforth, founder of Ralston Purina Company and philanthropist, describes how, when he was a sickly farm boy, his school teacher challenged him to live healthily; from that, Danforth developed a life philosophy to stand tall (through exercise and healthy eating habits), think tall (through education), smile tall (through friendliness and kindness) and live tall (through character development).
Listen to the essay
Deakin, Arthur
Arthur Deakin, General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers’ Union, states his beliefs both in an individual’s responsibility to serve others and in the individual’s right to freedom of conscience and expression.
Listen to the essay
Domich, Dain J.
Dain Domich, President of the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, describes how momentos from his work with the Junior Commerce (a Bible and American flag) remind him of his belief that faith in God is what provides meaning to life and of his belief in American freedom and democracy.
Listen to the essay
Donaldson, Anne Talbot
Social reformer Anne Donaldson describes her beliefs in the loving Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of humanity, the triumph of good over evil, and the development of God’s Kingdom through the efforts of individuals working with God’s help for social reform.
Listen to the essay
Draper, Mary C.
Social worker Mary Draper describes her belief in equality and change as a positive force in the world and in people’s lives, positive change she has seen in people through her work; in addition, she hopes for changes in the world that will bring peace and progress.
Listen to the essay
Earle, Genevieve B.
New York City Councilwoman and social worker Genevieve B. Earle remembers the surprise of seeing poverty as a child and how she developed a belief in the benefits of a strong government to promote laws and provide for its citizens although she says that can only happen when the people are engaged as active, equal partners in the work of a city.
Listen to the essay
Epstein, Benjamin R.
Benjamin Epstein, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, describes the faith in people he had as a child and how he lost it after studying abroad in Nazi Germany and how he again regained it after his return to the United States.
Listen to the essay
Farley, Cal, 1895-1967
Businessman Cal Farley describes the beliefs that led him to found Boys Ranch: that a boy given a good home with proper meals and clothes will turn into a productive citizen rather than ending up in jail or reform school.
Listen to the essay
Fry, Margery, 1874-1958
Prison reformer Margery Fry describes her belief in both Schweitzer’s “reverence for life” as well as a “reverence for truth” and how application of these beliefs will lead to the self’s service to the “not-self” (other people).
Listen to the essay
Hauke, E. B.
E. B. Hauke, former City Treasurer of Astoria, Oregon and National Vice Chairman of the American Relief for Norway, describes how his beliefs were shaped by his experiences as an immigrant trying to achieve a better way of life: as a result, he believes in frugality, wise use of resources, tolerance, kindness, humility, and the brotherhood of humanity.
Listen to the essay
Haynes, George Edmund, 1880-1960
George Haynes, the Executive Director of National Urban League, describes his beliefs in the equal potential of humans, in beauty, truth, goodness, peace, life, God, and eternity.
Listen to the essay
Heller, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Heller, founder of the “Share Your Birthday” movement, describes how her experiences with receiving and giving small gifts led her to believe that giving helps people come to know one another and reduces conflict between them; this belief led her to found the “Share Your Birthday” movement in an effort to promote international peace through the act of children sharing toys with other children across the world.
Listen to the essay
Hoskins, Lewis M., 1916-2011
Lewis Hoskins, Executive Secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, recalls a time when he was taken prisoner by a Chinese soldier while providing humanitarian aid and his ability to find a common humanity and brotherliness with his captor that disarmed the fear and violence of the situation.
Listen to the essay
Jacob, Betty
Human rights worker Betty Jacob describes her belief in the brotherhood of humanity, her disillusionment, and the final reaffirmation of her belief sparked by her work with international citizens via the United Nations
Listen to the essay
James, William F.
William James, founder of Boy’s Town in St. Louis, Missouri, describes how an experience during World War II gave him a belief in his dependence on God and an appreciation for life, and how he strives to be sensitive to others’ beliefs and avoid speaking unkindly to them.
Listen to the essay
Johnson, Kenneth D.
Kenneth Johnson, Dean of the New York School of Social Work, talks of the importance of democracy, freedom and human welfare, and emphasizes the ethical principles that underlie our democratic ideals.
Listen to the essay
Katz, Milton, 1907-1995
Milton Katz, Associate Director of the Ford Foundation, Chief of the United States Marshall Plan, and Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, describes how his experiences in another culture caused him to question the universal nature of his own values, but his reaction to world powers such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union led him to conclude that his values of freedom and justice and charity were true, after all.
Listen to the essay
Kingman, Ruth W.
Ruth Kingman, choral conductor and Executive Director of the Committee on American Principles and Fair Play for Japanese Americans, describes the religious beliefs of her ancestors, and describes her own belief in college students, who provide her hope for the future.
Listen to the essay
Klutznick, Philip M., 1907-1999
Philip Klutznick, housing developer and International President of B’nai B’rith, describes his beliefs in the importance of formal religion, the need to view “charity” as “doing justice,” the need to view life as full of opportunities rather than troubles, and the importance of planned communities that preserve a sense of human dignity.
Listen to the essay
Mann, Marty, 1904-
Marty Mann, founder and director of the National Committee on Alcoholism, describes her experience with alcoholism, and states her beliefs that suffering is universal but can be used to teach life lessons and that she is uniquely suited to help the suffering of alcoholics.
Listen to the essay
Mardikian, George M., 1903-
Armenian-born restaurateur and philanthropist George Mardikian describes his Armenian custom of serving the staff of his restaurant on Christmas Day, his imprisonment and escape from Armenia, and the welcome and success he found in America.
Listen to the essay
McKinney, Howard
Howard McKinney, the Director of Hill City in Pittsburgh, describes growing up in an urban city (Pittsburgh) and explains that, because the influence of a Sunday School teacher directed his own life away from crime, he feels compelled to offer similar opportunities to Pittsburgh’s youth today.
Listen to the essay
Mills, Thelma
Thelma Mills, a teacher and the director at New York City’s YWCA, describes her philosophy of social service, as well as her beliefs in the personality of Jesus Christ, God’s eternal purpose for the universe, and her own role in living out that purpose by serving others.
Listen to the essay
Moser, Paul
Paul Moser, Executive Secretary of the National Council of Presbyterian Men in New York, remembers the order and discipline expected of him as a child, and how the virtue of work can be applied to society, guided by Christian values, to create order out of a chaotic and confusing world.
Listen to the essay
Nesbitt, Albert J.
Albert Nesbitt, president of the John J. Nesbitt Company (a heating and ventilator manufacturing company), describes how his successful life as a manufacturer left him feeling dissatisfied; it wasn’t until he began to apply the Golden Rule, to engage with his factory union workers as people with legitimate points of view, and become involved in YMCA service, that the emptiness left him as he practiced what he describes as Christian principles.
Listen to the essay
Page, Elizabeth, b. 1889
Social worker and author Elizabeth Page recounts her experience of God’s presence after the death of her sister, describes her belief in her responsibility to address problems in the world, and explains how her belief in black-and-white distinctions between good and evil came to change.
Listen to the essay
Pickett, Clarence
Clarence Pickett, Executive Secretary of American Friends Service Committee, describes his experience in the Korean War during negotiations and how a meditation center highlighted the common humanity in all sides, and all people.
Listen to the essay
Pillsbury, Mrs. Philip W. (Eleanor Bellows), d. 1971
Mrs. Eleanor Pillsbury, president of Planned Parenthood Foundation of America, describes how she developed faith and belief in God and also her belief in the goodness of people and that we each have abilities that have been given to us for a purpose.
Listen to the essay
Richie, David S., 1908-
David Richie, Executive Secretary of the Friends Social Order Committee of Philadelphia, mentions a social experiment he tried in which he behaved selfishly one week and selflessly the following. What he discovered is that he felt better when acting selflessly and he believes now that good deeds can only be accomplished through good means.
Listen to the essay
Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962
Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt describes growing up in a religious household and later questioning her childhood beliefs, and concludes with the belief that a person must simply do the best that she can while meeting the future with courage.
Listen to the essay
Rothschild, Walter N.
Walter Rothschild, president of Abraham & Straus Department Store and philanthropist, describes his belief in the need to allow human beings to develop their unique potential, the necessity of helping others, the importance of discipline, and the need to guide rather than dominate children; finally, he describes the contentment he derives from sailing at sea.
Listen to the essay
Sams, Edith E.
Social worker Edith Sams describes how a childhood encounter with a handicapped individual inspired her to enter social work as a career, and states her belief that the efforts of individuals can make an impact on the world.
Listen to the essay
Schauffler, Bennet F.
Labor leader Bennet Schauffler talks about the importance of keeping active in order to find happiness, that if one enjoys what one is doing and works at it one has no time, or inclination, to argue or fight with others. He notes that boredom and inactivity have led people to conflict and materialistic greed.
Listen to the essay
Schlesinger, Edmond R.
Austrian-born social worker and college professor Edmond Schlesinger describes how World War II damaged his young belief in the essential kindness of humanity, but that he still remains confident that “man can become better.”
Listen to the essay
Seymour, Arthur G., Mrs.
Mrs. Arthur Seymour, Secretary to the Federation of Women’s Clubs of Greater Cleveland, describes her belief in the power of offering friendship to lonely women, and her attempts to do so.
Listen to the essay
Spry, Constance, 1886-1960
Florist and social reformer Constance Spry describes how she adopted her father’s love of truth, justice, beauty, and poetry, and explains her father’s practice of listening to, rather than judging, the beliefs and opinions of others.
Listen to the essay
Starr, Floyd Elliot, 1883-1980
Social worker Starr Floyd talks about his belief in the power of love and his faith in the goodness of all people and how his work with boys has affirmed his beliefs.
Listen to the essay
Sullivan, Katharine
Social worker Katharine Sullivan talks about her work with inmates and the power of faith and prayer in her work and her life.
Totton, Frank M., 1890-1954
Banker Frank Totton describes the meaning he finds in life as a result of his religious faith and belief that God works through man, a belief which encourages and enables him to support and aid others.
Listen to the essay
Underhill, Irvin Windfield, 1896-1982
Reverend Irvin Underhill, manager of the Richard Allen Homes public housing project, believes that good things can come out of adversity when one keeps faith and he recalls an experience in Africa in which fear and danger led him to peace and tranquility.
Listen to the essay
Vann, Jessie, 1885-1967
Jessie Vann, an African American newspaper proprietor and social reformer, describes her belief in the value of keeping her promises, her aunt’s prediction that she would never amount to anything, her belief in the power of gratitude and appreciation, and the management of her husband’s newspaper after he died.
Listen to the essay
Wallach, Sidney
Sidney Wallach, Director and Executive Vice President of the American Institute of the Tropics, describes his belief in the golden mean, reasonableness, democracy, and the protection of the minority, especially the individual.
Listen to the essay
Weil, Frank L. (Frank Leopold), 1894-1957
Social reformer and lawyer Frank Weil describes his beliefs that one must earn future privileges through the work of today, that belief in the future provides strength for meeting the challenges of today, and that people in general have the wisdom and integrity to achieve a better tomorrow.
Listen to the essay
White, Walter Francis, 1893-1955
Walter White, Executive Secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), recounts the challenges of growing up in a family of light-skinned African Americans (never fully accepted by either side), and describes his beliefs that an end must be obtained by just means, that love for humanity will overcome any obstacles, and that persons should not be judged by their skin color or creed.
Listen to the essay
Whitney, Madge
Social worker Madge Whitney describes how children’s social work brings purpose to her life.
Listen to the essay
Wrench, Evelyn, 1882-1966
Sir Evelyn Wrench, editor of The Spectator and founder of the Overseas League, describes how an encounter with extreme poverty shook his faith in God, and how an experience at the funeral service of King Edward VII restored that faith, as he became more inclusive in his beliefs and practices.
Listen to the essay