Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
As a competent social worker, I will consistently work towards dispelling unequal rights and social injustices. I believe it is my job to not only uplift my clients sense of value and self worth, but to advocate on their behalf both within and outside of an agency setting. Protecting a client’s privacy, is an important part of upholding integrity in my work. My commitment is to challenge myself to continually seek a better understanding of the many injustices surrounding diverse groups and mental health. Furthermore, I will continue to use social media platforms to engage with target groups so that I can educate and advocate on behalf of justice on a macro level.
Evidence of Practice
While attending Southern Adventist University and studying for my MSW, I engaged in a variety of activities that helped me to develop and master this competency:
3.1 – Demonstrate leadership in advocating for human rights, social, economic, and environmental justice
Field Evidence: In an effort to create awareness and change in the motherhood community, I created the petition campaign “Amend Maternity Leave Laws in Tennessee to Improve Financial Stability & Mental Health” by using the platform Change.org. The purpose of this campaign was to bring to light the injustice women and families are suffering. The US continues to fall behind in laws and policies that protect women’s mental health. Specifically, this petition urges people to participate in changing Federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requirements in Tennessee. This petition not only educates readers, but informs them of a solution to this problem and how together we can improve the lives of mothers and families (affective level: organizing)! This petition can be viewed directly on the change.org website here.
Additional Evidence: During my time working as a social media coordinator at Amazing Facts International, I created a resource for the correspondence department to send to victims of rape. I created this because I received a direct message from a rape victim asking for prayer and encouragement. This was the first time Amazing Facts had encountered this kind of a message, and so a response letter had never been created. I took the initiative to create a Rape Victim Protocol Letter which included spirtual encouragement, and helpful resources without crossing the line into giving professional mental health advice. The correspondence department now has this protocol letter saved in their data base so that Amazing Facts can take action, in case they encounter another rape victim in the future. The Strengths Perspective influenced how I wrote and created this letter since I emphasized human resilience and the ability to heal and grow from challenging and horrific situations. This letter was written to empower, rather than limit, rape victims by giving them biblical encouragement (if desired), support, and resources. This perspective greatly influenced the creation of all of the evidences for this competency since I advocated for human rights by informing and supporting these populations. This protocol letter can be viewed here.
3.2 – Design and implement social action strategies
Course Evidence: In my Advanced Social Policy class, I participated in a group project that created a Comprehensive Policy and Advocacy Action Plan to amend Tennessee’s HB1029/SB1257 Human Life Protection Act (cognitive level: synthesis). For this advocacy plan we first identified the policy issues, then proposed a solution. Our group proposed amending this policy to allow abortion about to the 8th week after conception and to provide specific criteria for physicians as to what constitutes an unsustainable pregnancy/need for an emergency surgery. We believe these amendments will provide safety and protection for both the mother and physician. In addition to this, we took great care to research the issue, create an advocacy campaign, and create a media campaign plan. Please view the Comprehensive Policy and Advocacy Action Plan here.