Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation hosts social work policy panel

The basics:

• Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation hosts social work and politics panel at Columbia University
• Event honors legacy of late Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver
• Panel features Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour, policy leaders
• Discussion focuses on social work’s role in shaping public policy

The Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation, in partnership with Columbia University School of Social Work, recently hosted a panel during National Social Work Month honoring the legacy of the late Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver.

Charles Lewis Jr., director of the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy, moderated the March 12 “The Intersection of Politics and Social Work”  event at Columbia University. Featured panelists – and alumni of the Columbia University School of Social Work – included:

• Mathylde Frontus, former New York State Assembly member
• Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour
• Ashanti Jones, policy analyst in the Criminal Justice Reform Program at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

Renee Oliver, president of the foundation and niece of Oliver, reflected on her aunt’s impact. “Social work is about empathy, advocacy and empowering communities—principles Sheila Oliver brought to every role,” Renee Oliver said. “She believed good policy must be rooted in compassion and the realities of people’s lived experiences. Columbia provided her with the foundation to see problems not just as isolated issues but as part of a larger social system.”

Jabbour said social work taught her that “effective leadership begins with listening, empathy, and a commitment to equity.”

“Those values have guided every step of my public service. Sheila Y. Oliver embodied that same spirit throughout her extraordinary career, and it was an honor to join fellow Columbia alumni in celebrating her legacy and reaffirming the essential role social workers play in shaping responsive, people centered policies and government,” said Jabbour.

‘Opening doors’

Panelists discussed how social work principles inform effective public service, emphasized the connection between policy and social challenges, and highlighted the enduring relevance of the lieutenant governor’s vision in guiding compassionate, equitable leadership.

Speakers also encouraged the next generation of leaders to create their own opportunities in government and civic engagement.

The Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation supports underserved communities and young women of color pursuing careers in public service through scholarships, mentorship and civic engagement programs. It launched in November 2023.

Lewis added of Oliver: “What made Sheila Oliver remarkable was not simply the offices she held, but the way she approached them. She understood that leadership is not just occupying a position. It’s about expanding opportunities and opening doors for others. In that sense, she did not just break ceilings for herself. She widened the pathway for those who would follow.”

The event drew students, faculty and professionals, underscoring Oliver’s enduring influence and the ongoing importance of social work values in shaping public policy.