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Wilson (Gertrude) papers
0498
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Gertrude Wilson papers
creator:
Wilson, Gertrude, 1895-1984
Identifier/Call Number: 0498
Identifier/Call Number: 1777
Physical Description:
0.83 Linear Feet
2 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1935-1981
Abstract: Gertrude Wilson (1895-1984) was considered a pioneer in the development of social-group work as a specialty within social
work. She eventually became involved in the American Association for the Study of Group Work where the field of social-group
work was just emerging. Beginning in 1935, Wilson headed the social-group work department of the University of Pittsburgh's
School of Social Work, where she remained for a dozen years, ultimately becoming Associate Dean. There she wrote and published
the works for which she became well-known: Case Work and Group Work, and Social Group Work Practice-- co-authored with colleague
and lifetime friend, Gladys Ryland. Wilson would go on to join the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley as Professor
and Director of Social Welfare Extension with the charge of developing a professional education program for the professionally
untrained social worker. In addition to teaching social-group-work at Berkeley, Wilson lead workshops and guest-lectured at
the Columbia, Smith, and Tulane Schools of Social Work.
This small collection of Gertrude Wilson's papers includes her college notes on child welfare, social investigation, and other
social work topics; notes and papers that she wrote while at UC Berkeley; a biography of Wilson by Sister Patricia Ann Denny
who was a candidate for the master's degree in Social Work; a few photographs of both Ryland and Wilson; photographs and ephemera
pertaining to Wilson's retirement in 1963; three bound albums of cards, photographs, and letters from her retirement dinner;
a few audiocassette tapes with paper transcriptions related to Gladys Ryland; and a written memoir of Gertrude Wilson as an
oral history project in 1978.
Container: 1
Container: 2
Gertrude Wilson (1895-1984) was considered a pioneer in the development of social-group work as a specialty within social
work. After earning her PhD in 1920 at the University of Chicago, she taught high school for a couple of years before moving
on to YWCA work. While she worked, she continued her education, enrolling first in Columbia University's Sociology Department
and later in the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration, where she obtained an M.A. in 1938. Wilson's
work with the YWCA began in 1922 as a secretary in Allentown, Pennsylvania, then continued in Buffalo, New York as program
director. She then moved to Chicago where she served as the administrator for the Y's program for young women in industry.
Her interests led her to become involved in the American Association for the Study of Group Work where the field of social-group
work was just emerging. Beginning in 1935, Wilson headed the social-group work department of the University of Pittsburgh's
School of Social Work, where she remained for a dozen years, ultimately becoming Associate Dean. There she wrote and published
the works for which she became well-known: Case Work and Group Work, and Social Group Work Practice-- co-authored with colleague
and lifetime friend, Gladys Ryland.
In 1951, Wilson joined the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley as Professor and Director of Social Welfare Extension
with the charge of developing a professional education program for the professionally untrained social worker. The Program
allowed hundreds of untrained workers to obtain professional education and earn certificates; about a third of them continued
their education and obtained professional degrees in graduate schools of social work. For her achievements, the California
Social Workers Organization awarded Wilson its 1963 Annual Achievement Award, and the Council on Social Work Education granted
her the prestigious Agnes Van Driel Award for unique and outstanding endeavor in professional social-work education. In
addition to teaching social-group-work at Berkeley, Wilson lead workshops and guest-lectured at the Columbia, Smith, and Tulane
Schools of Social Work. When she retired in 1963, Wilson moved to Pioneer in Amador County with lifelong friend Gladys Ryland.
Ryland died in 1980; Gertrude Wilson died in 1984 after a five-year battle with cancer.
This small collection of Gertrude Wilson's papers includes her college notes on child welfare, social investigation, and other
social work topics; notes and papers that she wrote while at UC Berkeley; a biography of Wilson by Sister Patricia Ann Denny
who was a candidate for the master's degree in Social Work; a few photographs of both Ryland and Wilson; photographs and ephemera
pertaining to Wilson's retirement in 1963; three bound albums of cards, photographs, and letters from her retirement dinner;
a few audiocassette tapes with paper transcriptions related to Gladys Ryland; and a written memoir of Gertrude Wilson as an
oral history project in 1978.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for access.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
[Box/folder# or item name], Gertrude Wilson papers, Collection no. 0498, California Social Welfare Archives, Special Collections,
USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Gladys Ryland papers, collection no. 0186, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Social group work -- United States -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Social work education -- United States -- Archival resources
Women social workers -- United States -- Archival resources
Notes
Oral histories (document genres)
Photographs
Wilson, Gertrude, 1895-1984 -- Archives
Ryland, Gladys, 1900-1980 -- Archives
University of California, Berkeley. School of Social Welfare -- Faculty