BUSSW Alumna Bet MacArthur (‘78) Honored with NASW-MA Lifetime Achievement Award

April 9, 2019

In recognition of over 40 years of dedication and accomplishments in social work, BUSSW Alumna Bet MacArthur (‘78) was recently honored with the 2019 Lifetime Achievement award from the National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter (NASW-MA).

The award, given to a social worker who has made outstanding contributions throughout his or her professional career, recognizes MacArthur’s work in private practice, supervision of clinicians, writing, and long service in community and professional organizations.

MacArthur has a long history of feminist, civil rights and anti-war activism, and received the 2008 Peace and Justice Award from the City of Cambridge MA for her lifelong commitment.

She also was distinguished to be the first non-physician to head an MA DMH Emergency and Inpatient Admissions Service for a large inner-city hospital.  

Along with her long success in clinical practice, MacArthur’s work to further the social work profession as a part of NASW-MA is extensive. She is a member of NASW’s Greater Boston Private Practice Group, was the second Chair of NASW’s Private Practice Referral Service, and Director of Marketing for NASW’s first bi-annual state-wide Symposium. MacArthur also recently served on the NASW-MA Board of Directors and was the editor and lead writer for the NASW/MA monthly FOCUS column “Clinical Practice Today” for seven years. In December 2018, she co-founded NASW’s Group for Retiring and Retired Social Workers.

“We’re proud of Bet’s accomplishments and congratulate her on this latest well-deserved award,” Ken Schulman, BUSSW associate dean for enrollment services and alumni relations said. “She is a great example of the positive change made across the globe by BUSSW alumni.”

Read more about the 2019 NASW-MA Chapter Award Recipients here.