HUSSWAA ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Social Work profession is saddened to report that Dr. Mildred ("Mit") Joyner, DPS, MSW, BSW, LCSW, our Howard University School of Social Work ("HUSSW") alumna, Howard University Inabel Burns Lindsay Leadership Award Recipient, and John and Barbara Jacob Endowed Professor of Social Work professor has died. We at the HUSSW join the friends and those who knew her to offer our sincere condolences and prayers for her family. HUSSW faculty, students and friends join the countless persons in reflecting on her life and gift to the field of Social Work over the years. We feel the blow to the field. We recognize our field of Social Work has lost another inspirational social justice champion.
 

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It is with sadness that the Howard University School of Social Work announce the death of alumnae M. Betty Brown, MSW Class of 1954. Ms. Brown died on May 30, 2017 at age 99. Ms. Brown’s memorial service was held at 2:00 pm on July 8, 2017 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I Street, SW; Washington, DC 20024.

While matriculating at Howard School of Social Work, Ms. Brown was a community organization student.  She had a degree in nursing prior to enrolling in the School of Social Work and her first job was providing nursing care at migrant camps. Later she became Director of Young Adult Programs for the YWCA in St. Louis, MO.

Ms. Brown’s body was donated to the Howard University Medical School. Ms. Brown was a longtime supporter of the Howard University School of Social Work Alumni Association's Annual Luncheon and student sponsor. She will be greatly missed.

Additionally, it is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce the untimely death of Alumna, Deon Facey, MSW Class of 2011. Deon died on Monday, July 3, 2017 after battling with cancer and lupus. Since graduating from the Howard School of Social Work, Deon worked at the House of Ruth and the National Center for Children and Families. She is survived by her three year old son, Bertrum Nash, affectionately known as BJ and her brother Lloyd Porter.

Funeral Services were held on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at the Antioch Baptist Church, 9107 Pine View Lane, Clinton Maryland 20735. Someone as special as alumna Deon Facey will never be forgotten. She will remain in our hearts forever. Please join us in sending our condolences to Deon's family and let them know that she will be missed. 

Dorie Ladner

Howard University School of Social Work alumna, Dorie Ladner, was awarded an honorary degree from the University of the District of Columbia for her significant accomplishments of over 50 years as an advocate for social justice and equality. She was cited for her contributions on the local, state, and national levels of Civil Rights activism, including registering disenfranchised Black voters, integrating segregated facilities, leadership and participant roles in some of the most important demonstrations during the 1960s, and for her continued commitment to improving the lives and conditions of her fellow citizens through 30 years as a social worker in Washington, DC. 

Sandra Sully

Alumna Sandra Sully recently received a Grammy Certificate for her authorship of “Angel” sung by Lalah Hathaway and second Grammy Certificate for the CD “ Lalah Hathaway Live” which included “Angel.” Sandra was previously in the Howard University choir with Lalah’s father, Donny Hathaway. She continues to write music & books and works as a psychiatric social work consultant for the Department Mental Health in Los Angeles, California.

Virginia Pryor

Alumna Virgina Pryor was recently appointed as Chief of Staff for the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children Services. Virginia Pryor has 27 years of child welfare experience and has consulted with systems in 44 child welfare jurisdictions. Previously, Pryor served as the Deputy Division Director. Pryor has also served as adjunct faculty at Howard University’s School of Social Work and Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work, and has held positions on various boards and is a past president of the board of Black Administrators in Child Welfare.