Celebrating Excellence in Social Work: 2025 NASW Texas Award Recipients

The National Association of Social Workers, Texas Chapter (NASW-TX) proudly announces the 2025 NASW Texas Award Recipients. Each year, these awards honor individuals whose leadership, service, and dedication reflect the highest values of the social work profession.

This year’s honorees exemplify extraordinary commitment to advancing social justice, strengthening communities, and elevating the profession:

• Dr. Debra J. Woody, LCSW – Lifetime Achievement
  Honored for her decades of visionary leadership, mentorship, and service that have left a lasting impact on Texas social work and beyond.

• Laurie Cook Heffron, PhD, LMSW – Social Worker of the Year
  Recognized for her powerful scholarship, advocacy, and practice that center survivors of violence and immigrant communities.

• Ashley-Annette Borges – Social Work Student of the Year
  Celebrated for her promise as a future leader and her exceptional dedication to serving vulnerable populations while pursuing her studies.

• Zenobia T. Lai – Public Citizen of the Year
  Acknowledged for her tireless work advancing immigrant and refugee rights, and for building more inclusive, just communities across Texas.

• Judge Lina Hidalgo – Public Elected Official of the Year
  Recognized for her courageous leadership in public service, policy, and advocacy that uplift and protect Texas families.

• Eddie Robinson – Media Award
  Honored for his excellence in journalism and his commitment to elevating social work issues and voices in the public sphere.

Together, these honorees represent the spirit of service, justice, and innovation that defines our profession.

Read more about their inspiring work on the NASW Texas Award Recipient webpage.