Within the fields of social work, labor advocacy, and civil rights, few figures demonstrate that impact more clearly than Thyra J. Edwards, Whitney M. Young Jr., and Lester Granger. Their lives show how social work can transform communities through a deep dedication to equity, international awareness, and collective empowerment.

These social work pioneers worked in different arenas, but their missions shared a common purpose. Each believed that social work needs to address systems of oppression directly. Each amplified the voices of Black communities. Each reshaped the profession into a powerful tool for justice at both the national and global levels.

Born in 1897 in Texas, Thyra J. Edwards became one of the most internationally engaged Black social workers of the twentieth century. Her career defied expectations for Black women of her era. She served as a social worker, educator, journalist, world traveler, and human rights advocate.

Edwards believed that social work required an understanding of global issues. During the 1920s and 1930s, she traveled widely and studied how international struggles for democracy and workers’ rights connected to the lives of African Americans. Her work with the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union reflected her commitment to labor rights and fair employment practices.

During World War II, Edwards directed childcare programs for the Congress of American Women and founded the First Negro Women’s War Relief Society. Her efforts supported Black refugees in Europe and strengthened humanitarian responses to global conflict. Her career continues to shape the idea that social work is inseparable from the fight for human rights around the world.

Whitney M. Young Jr. brought social work to the center of the Civil Rights Movement. Born in 1921 in Kentucky, he gained national prominence as executive director of the National Urban League from 1961 until his death in 1971.

Young combined diplomacy with bold strategic vision. He worked directly with corporate leaders and political figures, including three United States presidents, to expand opportunities for African Americans in housing, employment, and education. Under his leadership, the National Urban League launched programs that broadened job training, community development, and leadership pathways for Black communities.

Young believed that social work had a responsibility to challenge racism at the structural level. His book To Be Equal urged practitioners to confront racial injustice with intention and clarity. As dean of the Atlanta University School of Social Work, he transformed professional education by centering social justice, equity, and community empowerment.

Lester Granger, born in 1896, also played a crucial role in shaping social welfare through labor organizing and military reform. He served as executive director of the National Urban League from 1941 to 1961, and he worked tirelessly to promote fair employment and job equity.

During World War II, Granger became an influential adviser to the United States Navy. He advocated for the desegregation of the armed forces and pushed for greater inclusion of African American servicemembers. His work contributed to the progress that led to President Truman’s 1948 executive order that integrated the military.

Granger believed in combining direct community engagement with strategic advocacy. He partnered with labor organizations, mediated conflicts, and fought persistent discrimination within unions. His approach highlighted the power of social work as a bridge between grassroots activism and institutional reform.

As we observe Black History Month, we honor the courage of Thyra J. Edwards, Whitney M. Young Jr., and Lester Granger. Their achievements and enduring influence remind us that progress requires vision, persistence, and a commitment to equity that reaches far beyond individual action. Their legacies continue to inspire social workers, community advocates, and leaders who strive to create a more just society.