Herman Gallegos interview, 2011

Gallegos, Herman - Oral History Interview - CSWA ❧ Interviewer: Manuel Fimbres, MSW. Date: 10/29/2011. An interview with Herman Gallegos, MSW, as he discusses his work as a pioneer civil rights activist, as well as the importance of community organizing and philanthropy in social work. ❧ CONTENTS: (00:35)- Introduction by Manuel Fimbres. (01:47)- Early childhood experiences that led to his career in social work; Ludlow mining strike. (03:50)- The Depression and government's involvement in social welfare. (04:45)- Losing leg at age 9 -- Referral to The Cripple Children's Society (now Easter Seals). (07:15)- Lack of Latino mentors/teachers in public school system. (07:45)- The Loyalty Oath -- Influence of Dr. John Beecher. (11:18)- Working on Skid Row in Santa Clara County. (12:00)- Negative reputation of welfare and social work. (13:30)- Working in juvenile probation with Mexican- American children. (15:05)- Working with Saul Alinsky and Fred Ross in organizing Community Service Organization (CSO). (17:10)- MSW from UC Berkeley -- concentrating on community organizing. (19:40)- First job organizing community services in the High Desert. (20:30)- Recruited to be one of the first Latinos on a foundation board. (20:45)- Fighting racism in San Bernardino County. (22:00)- Combating discouragement within the social work profession. (24:18)- Management of the AIDS Epidemic. (25:26)- Farm workers' struggle -- Dr. Ernesto Galarza Research. (29:10)- The power of organizing. (29:40)- Voter registration for the Latino community and working with Cesar Chavez. (30:50)- Launched statewide voter registration campaign. (31:25)- Support in the field of social work. (33:40)- Pledge to non- violence in Chicano movement. (34:40)- Creation of National Council de la Raza (NCLR). (35:04)- Lack of Latinos on foundation boards -- working toward inclusion. (36:00)- Importance of philanthropy in social work. (38:10)- The seduction of power and charismatic leadership regarding sustainability. (41:10)- The power of collaboration in social work. (43:43)- Religion and humility. (44:15)- Advice to future social workers -- his career from the barrios to the boardroom. (50:05)- Social work's role in the Occupy Wall Street Movement. (54:30)- The future of social work in creating change. (55:15)- The use of new technology in social work. (57:00)- The obligation to give back. ❧ Herman Gallegos. Interviewed by Manuel Fimbres. Date of interview: 10-29-11. Length of interview: 59 minutes. ❧ ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: 1. California Social Work Hall of Distinction Biography ( http://socialworkhallofdistinction.usc.edu/honorees/ ). 2. DVD containing interview.