BASW Pays Tribute to Mit Joyner

Everyone at BASW was deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mildred (Mit) Joyner, President of the US Association of Social Work (NASW).

We send our thoughts and condolences to Mit’s family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.

BASW was fortunate to have worked with Mit during her time at NASW and we were incredibly grateful for her time, support and expertise. Mit delivered a series of anti-racist practice workshops as part of BASW England's World Social Work Week in March 2021 and appeared twice as a guest on the Let's Talk Social Work podcast to discuss anti-racism and anti-racist allyship.

Andy McClenaghan and Shantel Thomas have shared their tributes and memories below.

Shantel Thomas, BASW UK Anti-Racism Lead (2021-2023)

‘I wish to express my deepest, most heartfelt condolences to Mit’s family, close friends and colleagues as I learn of her passing last week. 

I connected with Mit is 2021, shortly after I began the role as BASW UK Anti-Racism Lead and she had delivered a keynote presentation for our World Social Work Day celebrations.  Mit was inspiring, always encouraging and sharing her wisdom.  We would talk about her work, my work and how they aligned, and she would always end our conversations with a ‘top tip’ usually about the importance of authenticity and staying true to what you believe in. 

As a leading Black woman in Social Work internationally, I appreciated the time she gave me and the lessons she taught me.  I admired her strength, passion, drive, commitment.  Her love for life and her family. 

She told me I reminded her of her younger self.  What an honour.  My Mentor, my ‘Aunty’, my Friend.  Rest in Perfect Peace President Joyner’. 

 Andy McClenaghan, host of Let’s Talk Social Work.

I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Mit Joyner. In my role hosting Let’s Talk Social Work I have been fortunate to meet and spend time with many inspiring people. Mit was a truly unique individual and my time working with her has left a lasting impression on me.

I was fortunate to interview Mit on two occasions, discussing in-depth her decades of work as a social work leader and anti-racist activist.

She and I joked about the busyness of her schedule given her roles at that stage as both President of the National Association of Social Workers and the IFSW North America Region President. But it is a true testament to Mit’s generosity that amid the many demands on her time she engaged with me and my colleague Shantel Thomas to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with social workers in the UK.

Mit embodied the best qualities of a leader. She was authoritative yet kind, inspiring and approachable. Her passing is a huge loss to the international social work community.

Mit made the world a better place for an immeasurable number of people. I’m incredibly glad I had the opportunity to experience her kindness and wisdom. 

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Let's Talk Social Work | Anti-Racism

Let's Talk Social Work | Anti-Racism Allyship

Anti-racist practice | A United States of America perspective - Session 1

Anti-racist practice | A United States of America perspective - Session 2

Anti-racist practice | A United States of America perspective - Session 3