Recipient: Cheryl Hyde, Temple University
Professor, School of Social Work & Chair, Macro Specialization
Nominators: Rebecca Matthew, University of Georgia
Cheryl’s legacy reflects decades of standing with those most marginalized – structurally, socially, and otherwise – calling attention, via rigorous engagement with critical social theories, to underlying, structural mechanisms that continue to oppress, always with an eye towards transformation. These efforts are then coupled with participatory strategies that foster and encourage collective (re)imagining and development of organizational structures, models, policies, educational pedagogy, and community practices that foster greater equity, justice, and participatory decision-making and control – particularly among those situated on the socially volatile fault lines of gender, race, and class.
Cheryl continually calls upon her unique, transdisciplinary studies and training in Sociology, Social Work, Labor Relations, and Community Studies and Organizing to (re)center macro practice in social work education. Weaving together critical social theories and explorations of, for example, poverty, racism, and sexism, she invites students to critically interrogate root causes as they explore transformative and anti-oppressive models and practices to support transformative social and organizational change, as well as their roles as change agents.
Cheryl is widely known – and deeply appreciated – for her dedication to mentoring. She selflessly gives of her time and energy, sharing her experiences, insights, and supportive words of advice and encouragement to students and young scholars – particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds and/or those engaged in community/macro practice. For those of us committed to participatory, community-based research, navigating the tenure process is often a lonely journey, filled with unrelenting doubts and anxiety. Cheryl is often a light in the darkness, providing reassuring words, fostering community building among junior-to-senior colleagues, encouraging leadership opportunities in national organizations, and co-authoring and co-presenting in peer-reviewed journals and national conferences.
Much like her impactful record of scholarship, teaching, and mentoring, Cheryl’s service to community, macro practice, and ACOSA are exemplary. Most recently, this includes serving as a co-founder of the Social Work Activist Collective (https://www.swactivists.com/), which seeks radical solutions to equity issues in the social services. This current change work is complemented by her dedicated history with ACOSA, serving as a founding member (as a doctoral student, no less), Chair for two terms (7 years total), and a board member and committee member on several occasions.
There is no question that her decades of work have brought about structural changes in organizational governance, educational curriculum that centers community/macro practice, and community engagement strategies that foster participatory decision-making and control – particularly with and among those most marginalized. She has likewise graciously mentored countless generations of emerging scholars who are committed to research in support of structural change, anti-oppressive teaching, and participatory community engagement practices as we collectively (re)build a more just world. Cheryl, with her palpable humility, brilliance, kindness, and wonderful sense of humor, continues to model how to walk - and (re)build - paths committed to justice with compassion and integrity.