The 2022 Crown Family School Alumni Award Recipients
Five alumnae and a social service agency are the 2022 recipients of the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice Alumni Awards.
We invite you to join us on Friday, May 20 to celebrate the following honorees. Please register for the All Alumni Reception and Awards Ceremony.
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Louise Doss-Martin, AB ’59, AM ’63 and Karen Teigiser, AM ’71 are receiving The Edith Abbott Award, which recognizes Crown Family School alum for distinguished service to society and for outstanding professional contributions at the local, national, or international levels.
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Receiving the Distinctive Innovation in Social Services Award, Chicago CRED, an anti-gun violence organization, has demonstrated innovation in their approaches and practices.
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The Milestone Achievement Award is presented to Lindsey Feldman, AM ’12 for her exemplary social work values, exceptional performance in clinical or administrative practice, and strong commitment to our profession.
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Evelyn Diaz, AM ’98, President of Heartland Alliance, is receiving the Social Impact Award, which honors one mid-career alum who has excelled beyond the norm early in their career.
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The Volunteer Leadership Award is presented this year to Edith Crigler, AM ’92 for her exceptional service of over 20 years to the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.
THE EDITH ABBOTT AWARD: Louise Doss-Martin, AB ’59, AM ’63
During her long career, Louise Doss-Martin, AB ’59, AM ’63, has been a clinician, administrator, researcher, policy and program developer, and international consultant. She made history as one of the youngest members of her Crown Family School class and was one of the first African American women to receive a graduate degree at the University. Louise’s career also includes numerous federal awards, and accolades from the American Public Health Association.
Examining black maternal mortality and black infant mortality has been a focus for much of Louise’s work. Her research at the US Public Health Service (USPHS) in Chicago generated attention and spurred the creation of comprehensive prenatal care in Illinois. That work led to a position in Washington, D.C. during the crack cocaine epidemic where she helped create programs for addicted women and their infants. Louise retired in 2006 after a 30-year career working in the USPHS and National Health Service Corps, where her efforts in integrating mental health services with primary medical care benefited more than 12 million people nationwide.
THE EDITH ABBOTT AWARD: Karen Teigiser, AM ’71
Karen Teigiser, AM ’71, has had a remarkable career that includes volunteering in the Peace Corps, working as director of children and adolescent services, and serving as a respected educator and innovative administrator at the Crown Family School.
She was an inspiring teacher, leading advanced generalist methods, courses on treatment of children and parents, and clinical seminars, and was awarded the William Pollak Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to her teaching, Karen led the professional development program for more than 20 years, and served as the School’s Deputy Dean for Curriculum. In her varied roles, she helped create and promote collaborative learning opportunities for students, faculty, and field educators, introduced new courses and programs of study on aging, and helped establish a professional certificate program. She was an early advocate for field education, and played a key role in raising funds to support field instructor workshops. Karen’s innovative and practical leadership at the School helped advance changes in curriculum and training that continue to make impact in social work education.
DISTINCTIVE INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SERVICES AWARD: Chicago CRED
Chicago CRED (Create Real Economic Destiny), an anti-gun violence organization, was co-founded in 2016 by Arne Duncan, a former US Secretary of Education and CEO of Chicago Public Schools, and Laurene Powell Jobs, the founder and president of Emerson Collective, a Palo Alto-based social impact organization. CRED is guided by an ambitious vision to decrease gun violence and create sustainable change by working directly with high-risk individuals and in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence.
To realize this goal, CRED has designed a holistic model for reducing gun violence. It includes street outreach, and comprehensive interventions that include life coaching and trauma counseling, workforce development, and advocacy and prevention. Since its founding, CRED’s work has touched the lives of 200 high-risk young people on the South and West Side communities in Chicago, providing opportunities where they can receive counseling and mentoring, work with tutors, develop job skills, and find meaningful employment. CRED’s work is dramatically uplifting the lives of individuals, helping neighborhoods reverse gun violence in the city, and serving as a model for other cities.
MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Lindsey Feldman, AM ’12
As a clinical social worker at the Phoenix VA Health Care Systems, Lindsey Feldman, AM ’12, has dedicated herself to improving the lives of veterans. At the VA, she has distinguished herself as an exemplary social worker, skillful and compassionate care giver, and exceptional and generous supervisor. Colleagues and co-workers praise her sophisticated professional skills, high ethical standards, and her outstanding advocacy on behalf of her clients. Her work and personality, said one colleague, “is what personifies a social worker….The social work field has grown and advanced as a result of her many contributions.”
Lindsey’s extensive skills and knowledge about the VA service system as well as available local resources are indispensable assets to her clients. She serves as role model to peers, colleagues, and other social workers by always putting her clients’ interests first and continually expanding her skills. During the pandemic, she continued to provide in-person care, providing selfless, responsive services to many high-risk and vulnerable veterans during the most precarious circumstances.
SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD: Evelyn Diaz, AM ’98
Evelyn Diaz, AM ’98, President of the Heartland Alliance, has distinguished herself as a visionary leader, enhancing the lives of individuals and communities in the city of Chicago. After graduating, she served the Uptown community as a policy aide in the 46th Ward. She later was Associate Director of the Chicago Jobs Council, assisting thousands of public housing residents gain employment. Mayor Richard M. Daley selected Evelyn as Deputy Chief of Staff, and also appointed her as CEO of the Chicago Workforce Investment Council, charged with addressing labor market shortages in key industries. During Mayor Rahm Emanuel tenure, Evelyn led the Department of Family and Support Services, where she directed human services and workforce development programs for 300,000 Chicagoans.
At the Heartland Alliance, Evelyn leads a global anti-poverty and human rights organization with more than 1,700 human rights workers that serves nearly half a million people annually in the areas of health and healing, safety and justice, and economic opportunity. The Alliance's innovative work has won funding from Congress and support from major corporations.
THE VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP AWARD: Edith Crigler, AM ’92
Edith Crigler, AM ’92, has been a driving force and inspiring leader throughout her nearly 20 years of volunteer service to the Crown Family School. As a founding member of the African American Alumni Committee, she has shaped the AAAC’s reach and impact among prospective students, alumni, and community members. She has been a frequent and enthusiastic participant and facilitator on alumni panels, including career talks. Louise was a leader in establishing the AAAC Symposium and Social Justice talks as significant elements in the School’s celebration of Black History Month. She also helped launch the successful campaign for the AAAC Endowment and Scholarship Fund.
Colleagues have described Edith’s leadership in glowing terms. Her volunteerism on behalf of the Crown Family School and the social work profession is “legendary,” said one nominee. She is known as a tireless worker, demonstrating constant determination, collegiality, and openness. Through her dedication, Edith has inspired other volunteers to step up, influenced students to attend the Crown Family School, and been a champion for the School and for social justice.