Creative Work
National Poetry Contest for Social Workers 2025
The University of Iowa School of Social Work conducts an annual, nationwide poetry contest for social workers. Submissions for the 2025 contest will be accepted between Nov. 1, 2024, and Jan. 31, 2025.
POETRY: Entry Level
“My Rite of Passage takes place in the midtown Social Security office....” The poem “Entry Level” is excerpted from Jane Seskin’s book Older, Wiser, Shorter: The Truth and Humor of Life After 65 (2024).
University of Iowa National Social Work Poetry Contest: Spring 2024 Winning Poems
As in previous years, The New Social Worker is pleased to present the winning poems of the National Social Work Poetry Contest. The contest is sponsored by the University of Iowa School of Social Work. Congratulations to the Spring 2024 winners!
2024 National Poetry Contest for Social Workers Accepting Submissions
The University of Iowa 2024 National Poetry Contest for Social Workers is accepting submissions. Submit your poem by February 17, 2024.
Photo credit: Chris Cypress/Pixabay
Dear Jane
Jane Seskin, LCSW, writes poetry.
University of Iowa School of Social Work Annual National Poetry Contest for Social Workers: 2023 Winning Poems
The University of Iowa School of Social Work has announced the results of the 2023 National Poetry Contest for Social Workers. Read the three winning poems.
Poetry: The Dead Weight
The Dead Weight won 3rd place in the University of Iowa's 2022 National Poetry Contest for Social Workers.
Poetry: someday this pain will be useful to you
someday this pain will be useful to you won 2nd place in the University of Iowa's 2022 National Poetry Contest for Social Workers.
Poetry: Co-Pay
Co-Pay by Devin Dierks won 1st Place in the University of Iowa's 2022 National Poetry Contest for Social Workers.
Poetry: When Social Workers Lobby in COVID-y Times of Injustice
When Social Workers Lobby in COVID-y Times of Injustice, a poem written by Susan Mankita, LCSW, inspired by the NASW 2021 Social Work Month theme “Social Workers are Essential.”
Poetry: My Teachers Told Me I Was a Superhero
I am not a superhero. I am a human social worker.
How One Social Worker Is Surviving the Pandemic
Social worker/poet Jane Seskin shares unique ways she survives the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lives in Brackets
Social worker Rosita Mazzi writes on life as a social worker in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Poetry: When the Sky Is Falling
When the Sky Is Falling, a poem of resilience and hope, by social worker Jane Seskin.
by Wendy G. Turner
Three Art Pieces - Racism, Homophobia, and Sexism
Art is a powerful means of expression. These three art pieces by social work educator Wendy Turner address issues of racism, homophobia, and sexism.
University of Iowa's National Poetry Contest for Social Workers Accepting Submissions Through January 31, 2020
The University of Iowa National Poetry Contest for Social Workers is accepting poem submissions between October 1, 2019, and January 31, 2020. The top 3 poems will receive cash prizes and will be published in The New Social Worker magazine.
Clients
A poem, Clients, by social worker Rich Kenney, Jr.
The One in the Chair
The one in the chair, waiting in a hospital room, often feels invisible, unseen.
