LANSING — State Representative Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) has been named the 2013 Stabenow Political Leadership Award recipient by the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. The award is given each year to someone who “has shown extraordinary political and legislative leadership through advocacy, activism and passion.”
“It is such an honor to receive this award. Social justice, social work and political action have been three constants in my life,” Hovey-Wright said. “As a social worker, I was always aware of the ways policy decisions impact our most vulnerable people. As a legislator, I know that those who put me in office want me to work on behalf of them, not special interests or big corporations. To be recognized for my work is humbling, and I aim to prove myself worthy of the honor every day.”
Before joining the Michigan House of Representatives in 2011, Hovey-Wright worked for 12 years as a school social worker, and before that, she worked at a health maintenance organization, or HMO. She has also worked with women facing crisis pregnancies and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo. Politically, Hovey-Wright has worked with the National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood and on numerous political campaigns.
“I’m truly grateful to receive this award from the National Association of Social Workers,” Hovey-Wright said. “Social workers routinely help some of our society’s most challenged people, often in dangerous environments. They are heroes to me.”
The Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers represents about 6,800 members in Michigan.