Sunday, October 18, 2020 marked the induction ceremony for the California Social Work Hall of Distinction, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to social work and social welfare in California.
Dr. Annette Smith (MSW '64) was recognized for her groundbreaking work in the field of alcoholism treatment and addiction recovery. Jong Won Min, the director of SDSU's School of Social Work, honored her as a "champion in the field of substance abuse" and a "tireless advicate for improving the lives of those who are suffering from alcoholism." Working at the Napa State Hospital in the 1960s, she spearheaded the formation of one of the first inpatient treatment programs for alcoholism in California. She continued this innovative work in San Diego, where she designed the proogram for the county's first alcohol detoxification program for men and successfully advocated for the creation of a county program for women. After earning her PhD from San Diego State University, she joined the faculty at SDSU for many years, where she taught until her retirement.
The California Social Work Hall of Distinction operates under the auspices of the California Social Welfare Archives (CSWA) at USC's Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Last year's inductees included Professor Emerita Jewelle Taylor Gibbs and Professor Jim Midgley.