Year Inducted: 1983
Margo (Margaret) Schutz Gordon, Professor Emerita of Social Work at the University of Kansas, served many years as an outstanding educator and field instructor. By the time of her retirement, she had placed more than 300 students in their practicum positions.
Ms. Gordon completed her AB in 1943 at Washington University at St Louis with majors in Psychology and Sociology. She completed her Master in Social Welfare in 1944 at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, also at Washington University. From 1944-1948 she taught there as an Instructor and Thesis Supervisor. In 1948, she began a nine-year term in the Social Service Department at the Washington University Medical Center. There, she served a variety of positions including Caseworker, Headworker for the pediatric service, Social Work Supervisor, Assistant Director, and Acting Director. She returned to the School of Social Welfare to work as an Assistant and Associate Professor, and also served as the Director of Field Instruction from 1957-1970. In 1983, the George Warren Brown School of Social Welfare honored her with the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Ms. Gordon began in 1970 at the University of Kansas as an Associate Professor, and later became a Professor and Director of Field Practicum. In 1983, she was named Outstanding Faculty of the Year by the Social Work Alumni Society of KU. That same year she moved on to status as Professor Emerita, but since 1986 she has remained involved as a part-time instructor-liaison.
She was a charter member of the National Association of Social Workers in 1955, and later served as a board member and 1977-78 President of the state chapter in Kansas. She was also a member of the Council on Social Work Education, the American Association of University professors, and the National Conference on Social Welfare.
Professional consultations by Ms. Gordon were called upon for the National Institutes of Mental Health, a neighborhood health center in Louisville, Kentucky, a Shawnee Mission, Kansas hospital, curriculum development for Colorado State University, and field instruction program development for Southern University of New Orleans. She was also one of ten women who started Breast Cancer Action to promote mammograms and discover ways to provide them for women of low income.
Ms. Gordon remained active in the Lawrence community even after her retirement. She served on the Advisory Committee of the Community Services Department of Douglas County Senior Services, volunteered at the Lawrence Senior Center, and was active in the Kaw Valley Chapter of the Older Women’s League, which she was elected President of in 1992.
©
The University of Kansas Medical Center