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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. MILLIE RUTH McCLELLAND CHARLES
______
HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND
of louisiana
in the house of representatives
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Mr. RICHMOND. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of
Mrs. Millie Ruth McClelland Charles, a legendary social worker and
native of New Orleans, Louisiana. Mrs. McClelland passed away at the
age of 96.
Mrs. Charles was born July 25, 1923 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Rev.
Williams McClelland, a Baptist preacher, and Frankie Little, a school
teacher.
Mrs. Charles entered Dillard University when she was only 15 years
old and graduated with a degree in secondary education. However, after
a few years of teaching in north Louisiana and loving the children in
her classes, she realized she could find more fulfillment in social
work because she would be able to help children and their families find
ways to solve problems. Therefore, she earned a master's degree in the
subject at the University of Southern California in the mid-1950s.
Mrs. Charles was married briefly, to Charles Carrol Charles, in 1950,
while she was working in the City Welfare Department, Children and
Family Services Division. He died while she was pregnant with her only
child, who goes by the name H.M.K. Amen.
In or about 1965, Dr. Emmett W. Bashful, asked an energetic,
passionate 42 year old Mrs. Charles to start a social work program at
Southern University in New Orleans (SUNO). In its beginnings, it was a
department of Social Work. Under the leadership of Mrs. Charles, the
department transformed into a fully-accredited school of social work
offering baccalaureate and masters level degrees.
Mrs. Charles's work has been recognized nationally. The National
Association of Social Workers named her Social Worker of the Year. SUNO
has a Millie McClelland Charles Endowed Chair of Social Work, and the
Louisiana Legislature passed a special resolution to name SUNO's School
of Social Work building after her. The building opened in 2016.
Mrs. Charles served as Co-Chair of the Council on Social Work
Education (CSWE) Annual Meeting; a Member of the CSWE Committee on
Undergraduate Curriculum Standards; and a Site Visitor for the CSWE
Accreditation Commission. In addition, since 1972, she has consulted
with numerous Undergraduate and Graduate Social Work Programs around
the U.S., advising them on curricula.
Mrs. Charles has received numerous awards: National Social Worker of
the Year (NASW), 1975; Humanitarian of the Year, Federal Women
Employees Association, 1975; Founders Award, New Orleans Chapter,
National Association of Black Social Workers, 1979; Doctor of Humane
Letters, Dillard University, 1993; and she also was one of four women
honored by the New Orleans YWCA for lifetime of service to the
community. Mrs. Charles was hailed as a lifelong crusader for equality
during a ceremony in which she was presented The Times-Picayune Loving
Cup on Tuesday, June 24, 2013.
Mrs. Charles loved the city and the people of New Orleans. Her legacy
will forever be a part of the city and her dedication to community
embodies the spirit of New Orleans. We cannot match the sacrifices made
by Mrs. Charles, but surely, we can try to match her sense of service.
We cannot match her courage, but we can strive to match her devotion.
Madam Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mrs. Millie Ruth
McClelland Charles.
____________________
