Honora Wilson interview, 1995

Wilson, Honora - Audio Oral History Interview - CSWA ❧ Interviewed by Maurice Hamovitch in March, 1995. An interview with Honora Wilson as she discusses development of interest in social work; studies at School of Social Work, USC; comments on Pauline Young; assignment to Welfare Dept.; USC professors; activities at USC; positions in social work during Depression; work with Frieda Mohr and Jewish Family Services; study at Smith's psychiatric school; work with Family Service of Cincinnati; return to LA and decision to return to Cincinnati for work; move back to LA to work for Family Service; work with City of Hope; changes in hospital's admittance policy; relationship with City of Hope's board of directors; Shirley Wilson, assistant director at City of Hope; research project; fundraising; hiring of rabbi at City of Hope; departure from City of Hope and work for Jewish Information Services; and work for ""Rancho"". ❧ Honora Wilson was one of a generation of strong woman administrators of social work agencies who pioneered during the post World War II through the 1960's. Her particular contribution was with the City of Hope Medical Center, in Duarte, CA. She was able to convince the lay board who makes decisions on admissibility to the hospital to transform this responsibility to the professional medical staff. The Board would receive advice from Ms. Wilson and her assistant with regard to the social needs of the patients. She was seen as the social conscience of the hospital, and was involved in pushing innovation programs, such as moral accommodations on the premises to enable parents to spend time with their hospitalized children being treated for leukemia. Parents were also permitted to assist in the nursing care of the children. This was a first. ❧ Honora Wilson. Medical social worker. Administrator, hospital social work department. Interviewed by Maurice Hamovitch. Date of interview: March 1995. 2 cassette tapes (2 duplicate tapes). Length of interview: 38 minutes. Transcript of interview: 21 pp. (2 copies rough draft of transcript). CD containing interview and transcript. ❧ ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: 1. 1 diskette of transcript of interview. 2. Photocopy of Honora Wilson's handwritten statement for interview.