Dr. Millie McClelland Charles
Social Work Pioneer

The Urban League of Greater New Orleans is proud to honor Dr. Millie McClelland Charles, a distinguished New Orleanian and Social Work Pioneer, for lifetime achievement, outstanding leadership and excellence in service.

Dr. Charles has greatly impacted the fields of health and mental health over the course of her professional career. As the founder and current Dean of Southern University of New Orleans’ School of Social Work (BMW and MSW programs), Dr. Charles’ leadership was instrumental in expanding the programs into fully accredited and widely respected fields of study.

The School of Social Work was founded amid the turbulent times of the Civil Rights Movement and flourished in the subsequent decades under Dr. Charles’ guidance. When the social work courses were moved from University of New Orleans to Southern University of New Orleans during the pinnacle of the Movement, Dr. Charles played a pivotal role in the expansion and development of the BSW and MSW programs. Today, the programs feature a well-credentialed, culturally diverse faculty; a far cry from the segregated and intolerant environment of the School’s establishment.

Dr. Charles’ interests in social work education extend far beyond the state of Louisiana. In addition to serving as Dean of the School of Social Work, Dr. Charles has also served as the Co-Chair, Council on Social Work Education Annual Meeting, a Member of the CSWE Committee on Undergraduate Curriculum Standards, and a Site Visitor for the CSWE Accreditation Commission. Since 1972, Dr. Charles has consulted with numerous Undergraduate and Graduate Social Work Programs around the United States, advising on curricula.

Dr. Charles dedicated her time and talent generously to the Urban League from 1971 – 1981, during which she served as President of the Board of Directors from 1976-1978. She also served the Urban League Board in the capacity of board member, Nominating Committee member, 1st Vice President and Delegate to the National Urban League Conference.

As a result of an extremely successful and noble career, Dr. Charles has received numerous awards including 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; as well as being one of four women honored by the New Orleans YWCA for lifetime of service to the community.