One of McMaster's own has been recognized for her tireless work on behalf of a number of social justice causes.

Sally Palmer, professor emerita in the School of Social Work, has been awarded the 2010 Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Association of Social Workers, the organization's highest honour.

Palmer is an internationally recognized researcher and author on child welfare issues. During her 18 years teaching at McMaster, Palmer was a member of the President's Committee on Indigenous Studies and the School of Social Work's committee on anti-racist education. She has also been involved in lobbying municipal and provincial governments on issues related to poverty.

"It is with pleasure that the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) recognizes Sally Palmer with the 2010 CASW Distinguished Service Award for Ontario for her passion and dedication to the social work profession," said the OASW in a release. "She is a familiar sight at community meetings, advocating for our vulnerable citizens."

"I'm very gratified to receive this award for my anti-poverty advocacy," said Palmer. "I've been helped along the way by a number of interested citizens and other social workers."

Palmer has advocated for expanding Hamilton's Affordable Transit Pass to include social assistance recipients who work part-time and exempting the earnings of post-secondary students from being counted as family income when students receive (or live in a family that receives) social assistance.

Palmer, who began her career in social work with the Children's Aid Society, continues her advocacy work with the Campaign for Adequate Welfare and Disability Benefits. She will receive her award in the spring at OASW's Annual General Meeting.

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