School for Social Work Honors Two Alumnae with Annual Award

The Smith School for Social Work recently presented the annual Day-Garrett Award to alumnae Suzin Bartley MSW’85, and Edward Eismann, PhD’67.

The Day-Garrett Award, established in 1978, is an award of distinction given annually to one or more people who have made outstanding contributions to professional social work, and who have been significant members of the Smith College School for Social Work educational community. The award is given to individuals who have personified in their lives and service to their community the high purpose of professional service for which the school has been renowned for 93 years. The recipients are chosen by an award committee of faculty, field representatives and trustees.

This year’s Day-Garrett Awards were presented during the School for Social Work’s annual conference July 21 and 22, during a ceremony in Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall. Provost Marilyn Schuster presented the awards, as well as an honorary chair for each recipient.

Suzin Bartley, MSW’85

Suzin Bartley has been the executive director of the Children’s Trust Fund of Boston since 1992, providing leadership toward the fund’s mission to prevent child abuse by strengthening and supporting families. Under her leadership, the Children’s Trust Fund has established an extraordinary fundraising capacity that enables the funding of more than 100 community-based organizations statewide. Among the many achievements are: the development of a statewide network of parenting education and support programs; a national model, universal home-visiting program for young parents; a statewide family support training center, training more than 1,000 family support providers annually; and a nationally recognized, independent, evidenced-based evaluation. Bartley exemplifies the best of School for Social Work alumnae, said Schuster in the award citation, along with “excellence in social work practice, in the provision of clinical services, and in the administration of a significant organization, with your commitment to and leadership in caring for a most vulnerable population—our children.”

Edward Eismann, PhD’67

Edward Eismann has been a pioneer in clinical training for more than 50 years in the field of child, adolescent and family treatment, as well as in community mental health. He has treated children in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings, including child psychiatric clinics, residential treatment centers, child welfare agencies, settlement houses, and public and parochial schools. Dr. Eismann’s work has been explored in various social work and psychological publications and has been the subject of sociological research as well as documentary tapes. Edward Eismann is a walking legend, said Schuster in the award citation, yet who remains “humble” and “continues with a work ethic that far surpasses the imagination. It is certain that the final story of Dr. Edward Eismann has yet to be told.”