The NASW Texas Awards seek to honor the achievements of NASW Texas members throughout their professional careers, as well as honor the contributions of publicly-elected officials, public citizens, and members of the media whose work upholds the values and mission of social work. Award recipients are nominated by their branches and selected through a review and voting process by the NASW Texas Board of Directors.

Congratulations to the 2023 NASW Texas Award Recipients featured below and to everyone recognized by their local branches for their extraordinary work in our profession.

2023 lifetime achievement award_

Freddie L. Avant, PhD, LMSW-AP, ACSW, C-SSWS

Each year, the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers selects a social worker for this award to celebrate a lifetime of accomplishments. In honoring the Lifetime Achievement Award winner, NASW Texas recognizes the best social work values and accomplishments demonstrated throughout the social worker’s lifetime. Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards demonstrate repeated outstanding achievements, make contributions of lasting impact, exemplify outstanding creativity, and receive recognition beyond the social work profession.

It is an honor and a pleasure to announce Dr. Freddie Avant, member of the Deep East Texas Chapter of NASW Texas, as the Lifetime Achievement Award winner for the 2023 NASW Texas Social Work Conference. Dr. Avant holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Lyon College, a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from Jackson State University. His practice background and research interests include mental health, cultural diversity, intellectual disabilities, rural social work practice, medical social work, social work administration and leadership, social work education and school social work. His name is synonymous with “social work” due to an impeccable reputation in the profession, and his numerous peer-reviewed publications. His tenacity, focus and resiliency are unmatched! Dr. Avant is currently the Director of the School of Social Work at Stephen F. Austin State University and Associate Dean for the College of Liberal and Applied Arts. He has served in this capacity for over 16 years and prior to that served as the BSW Director and field director. In September 2021, he served as the Interim Dean for the Office of Research and Graduate Studies. He has been elected and appointed to lead many prestigious social work organizations and social work educational commissions including the Baccalaureate Program Directors Organization, the NASW Texas Chapter and the Texas Association of Black Professionals in Higher Education. Dr. Avant was appointed by a former president, to the United States Secretary Department of Health and Human Services to serve on an advisory committee. He has had many other notable appointments including having served on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Human Services; Council on Social Work Education H.E.A.L.S Advisory Committee, the National Search Committee for the CSWE president and as a commissioner on the Educational Policy Commission for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). He was the recipient of the Stephen F. Austin State University Distinguished Grant Award, the President’s Award from the Concerned Black Men of Lufkin, and the National Association of Baccalaureate Program Director Presidential Honor Award. He has been inducted into the Lyon College Hall of Fame, and the Earle High School Hall of Fame. He is a founding member of the Concerned Black Men of Nacogdoches- a national organization that mentors Black youth and raises scholarships for their higher education. Dr. Avant is an advocate and scholar for social justice. Many of his publications address lnd an infectious ability to lead social workers in the fight for social justice, equity and inclusion. Through his diplomatic influence in high places, he provides a voice for the unheard. Dr. Avant’s many accomplishments cannot be captured in this one introduction, but we honor all that he has done for the social work profession. He is a Social Work Superhero of our time.

Nominated by the Deep East Texas Branch.

2023 Social Worker of the Year_

Shane Whalley, MSSW

The Social Worker of the Year Award honors a member of NASW/Texas who exemplifies the best of the profession’s values and achievements. In honoring the Social Worker of the Year, NASW highlights superb accomplishments in the practice of social work. The Social Worker of the Year demonstrates outstanding leadership, advocates for clients, and takes risks to achieve outstanding results.

It is an honor and a pleasure to recognize, Shane Whalley, member of the Texas Capital Area Branch, as the Social Worker of the Year. Shane received hir Master of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. Shane’s contributions to the profession include serving as the Director of Personal Empowerment and Counseling Our Youth, Stakeholder group for the implementation of the Truth and Racial Healing Grant for Austin Community College, and community Action Network Behavioral Health Planning Partnership. Shane has been an adjunct faculty member at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work since 2003, and has taught classes on LGBTQIA identities, social justice frameworks, and introductory classes to the field of social work. Shane received the Austin PFLAG Outstanding Educator Award, AIR Award, Adjunct Lecturer of the year-UT School of Social Work, the 2017 Charles I. Wright Distinguished Alum Award from the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and the Texas Exes Teaching Excellence award. In 2018, Shane spoke on a panel at South by SouthWest (SXSW) Interactive called, “How Gender Fluidity Recasts Brand Engagement.” Shane was the education coordinator for the Gender and Sexuality Center at UT Austin for seven years, and the community coordinator for Austin Independent School District. Shane exemplifies the core values of social work and demonstrates a passion for healing in our communities. Shane currently teaches at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin, and St. Edwards University. Shane embodies the heart and spirit of social work. Shane is not afraid to take risks by engaging in dialogue around what can often be difficult conversations about race relations and social justice. The foundation of Shane’s work in the profession is ethics and integrity. Shane is someone that practices social work in a manner that aligns completely with the values and principles, we stand for in this profession. Shane is a fierce and unapologetic advocate for equity and human rights, while showing an incredible tolerance and patience for systems where change is often slow and difficult to see. Shane’s strengths-based, person-centered and often humorous approach brings engagement and unconditional positive regard to experiences that are, by nature, uncomfortable and humbling. Shane’s use of honesty, vulnerability and thoughtful messaging draws people to the work - especially in today’s politically polarized society. Shane is willing to take risks and fight against injustices with dedication and intentionality. Shane gets results because of hir advanced skills in communication, storytelling, group facilitation, and conflict de-escalation, along with hir ability to balance an outcomes approach with process-focused and systems-oriented strategies. Shane’s ability to see the complexity of ethical situations and dilemmas is noteworthy. Shane has dedicated hir life’s work to furthering safety and equity for transgender, inter-sex and queer communities in Texas. Shane’s work in this area as an advocate and a voice for the people is unparalleled.

Nominated by the Capital Area Branch.

2023 Social Work Student of the Year_

Anna Hartman, LMSW

The Social Work Student of the Year Award honors a student member of NASW Texas who is enrolled at least halftime (as defined by their school) in a graduate or undergraduate Social Work Program and has made an outstanding contribution to the goals and mission of the profession. The Social Work Student of the Year demonstrates leadership, a commitment to social justice, the profession of social work, and clients, and the integration of social work knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values.

It is an honor and a pleasure to announce, Anna Rosa Hartman, as Student of the Year for the NASW Texas 2023 Conference. Anna maintains a 4.0 GPA and is the Project Coordinator for Better Together, a community collaborative program with Stephen F. Austin’s School of Social Work which aims to improve mental health and well-being of all residents in Nacogdoches County. In her role as Project Coordinator, Anna has built relationships and worked with local organizations including the 21/7 Association, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), HOPE Food Pantry, and the NAC-CAN Coalition. Additionally, she has conducted various Findhelp.org workshops for organizations and school districts to demonstrate how to use the platform and find free or low-cost services. Anna graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Social Work in 2017 and will complete her master’s degree in Social Work in May 2023. Anna is experienced with post-traumatic stress disorder, abandonment and attachment disorders. Anna has also completed specialized training in suicide prevention. Anna advocates for social justice, and dignity for all. Anna serves faithfully with grit and dedication. As a student leader, Anna is an excellent example of the respect and sensitivity to cultural diversity. She continuously develops her professional knowledge and expertise and contributes her findings and successful tactics to other students. As a student, she has excelled in the classroom and is very involved in the community. She has shown a true commitment to social work education and practice. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, NASW Deep East Texas Chapter, Member of Phi Alpha Honor Society and is serving as President of the Graduate Association of Student Social Workers at Stephen F. Austin State University. She is also an iCare Ambassador that works to support students in addressing health and wellness related concerns. She is also involved in many local community groups including the local Rotary organization, and NAMI. She is also working full-time for Better Together, a local grass root organization that is focusing on the health and well-being of communities across Nacogdoches County. Anna is a Licensed Master Social Worker and holds multiple certifications including, SBIRT for Health and Behavioral Health Professional, she is a DFPS Trauma Care Professional, and the Findhelp Community Engagement Lead Facilitator Workshop Training and Certification.

Nominated by the Deep East Texas Branch.

2023 Public Citizen of the Year_

Cynthia Y. Herrera

The Public Citizen of the Year Award honors an outstanding member of the community whose accomplishments exemplify the values and mission of the profession of social work and who has acted with courage to make a significant contribution to an area or population of concern to the social work profession such as: at-risk or vulnerable populations, quality of life in communities, or social issues.

It is an honor and a pleasure to announce Cynthia Herrera, as the Public Citizen of the Year. She has a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Michigan, a Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago, School of Law, and a Certificate in Health Law from the nationally acclaimed, Beazley Institute for Health Law and Policy. She is an author who has used her publications to bring forth awareness of intimate partner violence and recommendations for law, policy and practice. Cynthia’s passion for social justice, her knowledge of the law, and love of public health interventions, places her in a unique position to advocate for clients. Cynthia has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving and impacting marginalized communities within Austin. Cynthia has a heart for serving vulnerable populations, and her dedication to improving the quality of life in minoritized communities is truly outstanding. She has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of socioeconomic issues and the intersectional oppression that many people have faced, working tirelessly to develop effective interventions and strategies to address them across multiple disciplines and fields of work. Ms. Herrera currently serves as Executive Director of ASHwell Sexual Health + Wellness, enhancing queer health in Austin through clinical, holistic, and social wellness initiatives by centering focus on the LGBTQ+ community, the trans community, and communities of color. As CEO of Project Transitions, she spearheaded a successful $3.5 million dollar capital campaign to build 101 new units of affordable housing for people living with HIV in Central Texas. She has tirelessly advocated for survivors of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault as an attorney with the Texas Advocacy Project. She founded the first medical-legal partnership initiative to collaborate with local health providers to identify and prevent ongoing intimate- partner violence against their patients in Austin, training hundreds of health providers at community-based healthcare organizations and major hospitals on how the upstream medical legal partnership model of patient-client care saves money, time, and lives. She has also established a free community legal clinic, centering LGBTQ+ community members in partnership with Community Health Empowerment and was published in the Texas Family Physician magazine. She serves as Chair of the Healing Fund for Contigo Wellness, a local nonprofit striving toward equity in mental wellness through anti-racism and decolonizing community work.  Her community involvement includes serving as the Chair of the JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Committee of Pease Park Conservancy; Co-founder and board member of The Mexican American Experience, a nonprofit working to preserve, promote, and celebrate Mexican American culture and heritage. She also co-founded and is currently serving as Co-Chair of the ECHO Affinity Group to End HIV Homelessness where she helps coordinate and advocate for a more complete and thorough community response to achieve functional zero homelessness for our community members living with HIV.

Nominated by the Capital Area Branch.

2023 PUBLIC elected official OF THE YEAR_

Council Person Vanessa Fuentes

The Public Elected Official of the Year Award recognizes outstanding service and contributions of an elected official who has shown leadership in the formulation of public policy, particularly policies that affect social justice, health care, education, civil and human rights, and social practice.

It is an honor and a pleasure to announce, Vanessa Fuentes, City of Austin, Council Member for District 2 as Public Elected Official of the Year. She received her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Texas. Ms. Fuentes’ has advocated for social, legal, health and economic justice for the constituents she serves. She is dedicated to volunteer service within her community and is a leader that model’s integrity. Through her leadership, she has advanced public policy that addresses the needs of vulnerable populations. Since taking office in 2021, Vanessa has fought for improved health and livability, affordability, creative arts, and quality of life. She has taken a stand for health equity as Chair of the Public Health Committee by sponsoring legislation on displacement prevention, reproductive justice, community health workers, vaccine distribution, mental health services, and healthy food access. With affordability in mind, Vanessa introduced and passed legislation to increase the living (minimum) wage for City Employees to $20/hr. She has expanded access to childcare and dual language, full-day pre-K for families in the Eastern Crescent and made library cards free to all youth in Travis County. Vanessa has also co-sponsored the implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan and is committed to environmental justice, with a special emphasis on building resilient communities. Her efforts include connecting residents with affordable flood mitigation opportunities. Following the 2023 Ice Storm, she quickly jumped into action with the passage of a policy to start the analysis of burying power lines in city-funded projects. In addition, Ms. Fuentes has been working on issues that reflect the values of social work practice which include working to commission a study on increased paid parental leave; limiting the increase of Austin Energy’s base rate, and passing legislation to make it easier to open childcare centers. Ms. Fuentes' resolution increases the number of children that can be enrolled in each childcare location, and creates a grant fund to help pay the city fees associated with opening or expanding a childcare center. Ms. Fuentes helped secure $500,000 from the American Rescue Act to start a community engagement effort to create a plan for a potential grocery store co-op, which will service an underserved area of Austin. She has also launched the Displacement Prevention Navigator Pilot Program, which will focus on two neighborhoods that are at most risk for displacement. She has authored an approved plan for a Trauma Recovery Center, which will provide intensive case management and trauma-informed mental health treatment to crime victims. Ms. Fuentes has received numerous awards throughout her tenure as a council member. She has received honors and recognition from the People Organized in Defense of Earth, the Resources Community Leadership Award, Austin Under 40 Awards finalist, Hispanic Association of Business Leaders of Austin-Hispanic Elected Official of the Year, Young Women’s Christian Association-New Leader Honoree, and the American Heart Association-National Grassroots Innovation Award, just to name a few.

Nominated by the Capital Area Branch.

2023 media award_

David Martin Davies

The Media Award of the Year honors a member of the media who has made outstanding contributions in Print, Radio, Television or Online Publications that exemplify social work values and ethics or increases the understanding, awareness and values of the social work profession to the general public.

It is an honor and a pleasure to announce, David Martin Davies, as the recipient of the 2023 Media Award. Mr. David Martin Davies is an exceptional journalist with more than 30 years of investigating, analyzing and reporting on topics at the center of Social Work concerns and practice. He is a fixture in Texas Public Radio -- hosting (and/or producing) two important programs, "The Source" (an hour-long live call-in show that airs on the radio four days a week) and "Texas Matters" (a weekly news magazine broadcast and podcast); both of which cover critical social, political, environmental, and community issues. Mr. Davies is a superb and ethical journalist as noted by three important traits: (1) He seeks out -- rather than shies away from -- controversial topics; (2) He presents these topics from a nonbiased, inquisitive position; and (3) He always asks the hard questions -- of both sides of any issue. For his journalistic acumen, he has received numerous awards, including the Texas Radio Journalist of the Year (2008), the Edna McGaffey Media Excellence Headliner Award by the Association for Women in Communications- San Antonio Professional Chapter (2015), the National Edward R. Murrow Award for his radio documentary exposing human sex trafficking (2019), Best Talk Show by the Public Radio News Directors (2019), and a First Amendment Award by the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (2019). The Public Media Journalists Association has also awarded Mr. Davies three first place awards for News and Public Affairs for the last three years running (2020, 2021, and 2022). Mr. Davies' topics focus on issues of importance to Social Work. Recently, he has addressed topics on the pros and cons of a charter amendment to San Antonio's city charter that could decriminalize THC, reproductive care, and choke holds; voting rights, renewable energy jobs in Texas, expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, renters rights, anti-migrant border militias, poverty; and examined the anti-LGBTQ bills moving through the TX legislature. Mr. Davies represents the highest values of western, democratic journalism. What David Martin Davies does as a journalist bears similarities to the goals of social work practice. His work is a selfless effort to inform, educate, encourage, and inspire and above all, to be a trusted source of truth. The way that he incorporates people from all levels of society into his interviews, and the way that he makes information accessible to a broad audience contributes to the core of social justice. Today, we honor you with the NASW 2023 Media Award for your service and dedication to the media field.  

Nominated by the Alamo Area Branch