MSW grad raises more than $20K a year for charity

In 2005, Master of Social Work (MSW) alumna Ann Beck, LICSW, was at the beginning of her social work journey — focused on coursework, community service, and finding the right practicum placement site. But that all changed when New Orleans was struck by Hurricane Katrina. Suddenly, Beck and her classmates had to finish their Tulane classes online and at universities across the country.

“I felt so supported and so connected, even though my life had suddenly taken a serious detour. That kind of support stays with you and shapes how you want to move through your own work,” Beck said. “Showing up when it is hard not only helps to get the job done, but it sticks with people and it keeps them moving forward, too.”

20 years after Hurricane Katrina struck the city, Tulane School of Social Work’s Alumni Association invited Beck back to New Orleans to accept the 1914 Distinguished Alumni Award in Community Service. Professionally, Beck manages ten major Community Health and Human Services programs for Whatcom County, Washington. She oversees nearly $40 million, supporting veterans, new mothers, people with developmental disabilities, and community members experiencing homelessness. But that’s not all — in 2015, she co-founded of 100+ Women of Whatcom, a collective giving group for local nonprofits.

I felt so supported and so connected, even though my life had suddenly taken a serious detour. That kind of support stays with you and shapes how you want to move through your own work.

Ann Beck, LICSW

To date, members of 100+ Women of Whatcom have given over $200,000 to 20 organizations in Whatcom County. That money goes to the organization as unrestricted funds — meaning the nonprofits can use the money however it is needed most, no strings attached.

“We trust that the agencies and the populations they serve know better than anyone,” Beck said. “We are simply there to provide a much-needed boost in funding and show our strength in numbers, both in terms of dollars and the support of more than a hundred women who believe their good work should continue on.”

Despite helping sustain vital social services in her community, Beck says leading the group of nearly 200 women feels like a selfish act. “Every time I am in the room with the members of 100+ Women of Whatcom, I get a little positive charge in my system. It’s a reminder of what good looks like and what connection and community can do. I count myself lucky that they let me be a part of the work and the community.”

Both professionally and personally, Beck’s work is about building relationships, finding actionable solutions, and above all, helping people. She says two things have brought her success: hard conversations and an open mind.

“We cannot have transformative learning if we aren’t willing to be uncomfortable from time to time,” she said. “If we are unwilling to hear different viewpoints, to sit in discomfort, and to collectively move through the challenges, the momentum will stall and people will walk away from the goal.”

As for her own momentum, Beck has many plans for her future: continue growing 100+ Women of Whatcom, support the growth of other social workers, develop her education as a gerontologist, and keep doing the work that matters. But for the time being, she mostly hopes to be present with her community.

“For now, my family and I are just continuing to soak up all the good in life we can, traveling when life allows, and laughing as often as we can.”