Martha Schultz, LCSW

Growing up, I remember when other kids would tell their friends what their parents did for work, I had the hardest time narrowing down in a few words how to describe both my mother’s and father’s jobs. My mother was educated as a social worker, and practiced as such; my father, although he did not study social work, was a caseworker in child protective services for many years. At that time, I failed to adequately explain both my parents’ professions; many times, the “social work” job title was seen in a very narrow and stigmatized way – someone who would come and take people’s children away. 

Throughout my childhood, I was aware that a lot of my thoughts, questions and perspectives were very different than the kids around me. At times, I would question authority, and even get myself into trouble. When things seemed unfair, I would say something. When kids were treated poorly by other kids, I did something. I had the knowledge from my parents that things in this world were not fair, and the confidence from them to stand up for, and with, others.

I distinctly remember my mother driving my brother, sister and me to elementary school. In between her favorite “Blondie” songs, she would tell us that we’re all human beings and deserve happiness, and that no one person is greater than the next. This awareness led me to be an active “social justice warrior” at a very young age. I became President of my school’s Gay/Straight Alliance, and I rallied with Reality Check of NY’s anti-tobacco campaign. I had a desire and motivation that carried me through school rather quickly and into the real world.

When it came time to enroll in university, I don’t distinctly remember choosing social work, but before I knew it, I was sitting in a social work class. Everything about social work matched me as a person. It was a unique reflection of who I was, the motivation inside me, and the person I wanted to become. While studying for my MSW at McGill University in Montreal, I became more aware of international social work and global issues. Now as a practicing LCSW, a second generation social worker, I focus on children and families, especially early childhood mental health. I’m also active in community initiatives, and participate in policy committees on a local and county level.

When looking at how my generation has impacted social work as a profession, I like to utilize a strengths-based perspective. I believe my generation has added a unique, creative, and empowering element to social work – through the use of technology, such as social media, social work has become much more than that old narrow, stigmatized version. Social work is cool, social work is fun, social work is dynamic. Now we are valued as leaders of agencies and communities, and have a major part to play in the future.