Edith A. Lewis

Professor Emerita of Social Work and Women's Studies

Associate Professor Edith Lewis's primary research interests include methods used by women of color to offset personal, familial, community, and professional role strain. To date, this has included involvement in studies identifying strengths within African-American women's communities; the intersections of gender and ethnicity in the lives of women of color; outcomes of an intervention project for pregnant, substance-dependent women; multiple role strains for faculty women of color; multicultural organizational development, isolating the successful methods used by Ghanaian women in community development projects; and the development of the Network Utilization Project intervention to systematically address individual, family, and community concerns.

Lewis has taught in the areas of ethno-conscious social work methods, global social work practice, group process, family theory, behavioral theory and interventions, community and social system methods, and feminist practice. She is currently continuing an evaluation of a global exchange effort between the University of Michigan and a university in West Africa. Other areas of research/scholarly interest: teaching innovations, particularly those that help prepare social work students for practice within diverse national and global communities.

Research Interests

Culturally competent practice, empowerment, women and families of color, international practice.

Curriculum Vitae

Contact Information

  • [email protected]

  • (734) 763-5971

  • 4640 SSWB
    University of Michigan
    School of Social Work
    1080 S. University
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Education

  • 1985 PhD Social Welfare
    University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • 1975 MSW Social Work
    University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
  • 1973 BA Social Work/Afro-American Studies
    University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Social Work/Afro-American Studie

News

Activities

Publications

Lewis, E. A. (2015). On listening as an integral element of praxis in feminist and womynist research. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 7(3), 324-327. Wiley Publications.
Lewis, E., Sakamoto, I., & Gutierrez, L. (2014). Women of color: Sources of resilience and vulnerability. In A. Gitterman (Ed.), Handbook for Social Work with Vulnerable and Resilient Populations (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
Gutierrez, L., & Lewis, E. (2013). Education, participation and capacity building in community organizing with women of color. In M. Minkler (Ed.), Community Organizing and Community Building for Health (3rd ed.). New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
Gutierrez, L., Dessel, A., Lewis, E., & Spencer, M. S. (2012). Principles, skills, and practice strategies for promoting multicultural communication and collaboration. In M. Weill (Ed.), Handbook of Community Practice (2nd ed.).
Gutierrez, L., Dessel A., Lewis, E., & Spencer, M. (2012). Promoting multicultural communication and collaboration: Dialogue, mediation, consensus building, and intergroup empowerment. In M. O. Weil (Ed.), Handbook of Community Practice (2nd ed.). New York: Sage.
Gutierrez, L., & Lewis, E. A. (2012). Education, participation, and capacity building in community organizing with women of color. In M. Minkler (Ed.), Community Organization and Community Building for Health (3rd ed.). New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers.
Lewis, E. A., Murray, M., Crosbie-Burnett, M., & Silvey, L. (2011). Harriette Pipes McAdoo's legacy to social justice, Family scholarship, and authentic living. In L. De Reus & L. B. Blume (Eds.), Social, Economic and Environmental Justice for All Families, Groves Monograph Series, Vol. 1., xi-xii. Scholarly Publishing Office, University of Michigan Libraries.
Reed, B. G., Newman, P. A., Suarez, Z., & Lewis, E. A. (2011). Interpersonal practice beyond diversity and towards social justice: The importance of critical consciousness. In B. Seabury, B. Seabury, & C. Garvin, (Eds.), Social Work Practice (2nd ed.). New York: Sage.
Lewis, E. A. (2009). Group- versus individual-based intersectionality and praxis in feminist and womynist research foundations. In S. A. Lloyd, A. L. Few, & K. R. Allen (Eds.), Handbook of Feminist Family Studies 304-315. Los Angeles: Sage.
Crosbie-Burnett, M., Lewis, E., Sullivan, S., Podolsky, J., Mantilla de Souza, R., & Mitrani, V. (2006). Advancing theory through research: The case of extrusion in stepfamilies. In V. Bengston, A. Acock, K. Allen, P. Dilworth-Anderson, & D. Klein (Eds.), Sourcebook of Family Theory and Research 213-219. New York: Sage Publications.

Honors and Awards

Year Description
2022 2022 Alexis J. Walker Lifetime Achievement awardee
2007 Feminist Scholarship Award named in honor of Edith A. Lewis. Women’s Council Council on Social Work Education, San Francisco, California.
2006 NCFR Fellow, National Council on Family Relations award for career contributions
1997-1998 Faculty Associate on Multicultural Education. Center for Research and Learning on Teaching, University of Michigan
1995-1996 University of Michigan and Ford Foundation Seed Grant Program Award for collaborative work between African and U.S. Professional School, Center for Afro-American and African Studies
1995 Fullbright Research and Teaching Fellowship, University of Ghana
1993 Woman of the Year In Leadership, Women of Color Task Force, University of Michigan
1992 Honorary Membership Award, Women of Color Task Force, University of Michigan
1990 Outstanding Instructor Award, Michigan Student Assembly, Advice Magazine
1990 Faculty of the Year Award, Graduating Class, School of Social Work
1988 Outstanding Teaching Award, Association of Black Student Social Workers, University of Michigan
1984-1985 National Research Service Award (pre-doctoral), National Institute on Mental Health

Presentations

Year Description
2009 Lewis, E. A. (2009, November). Dreams no longer deferred. 30th Anniversary Symposium for the Ethnic Minorities Section, National Council on Family Relations, San Francisco, CA.
2008 Lewis, E. (2008, November). Ain't I a woman? Professional women of color and our families. Presented at the National Council on Family Relations, Little Rock, AR.
2007 Lewis, E. (2007, November). Traumatic brain injury and families of color. Presented at the National Council on Family Relations, Pittsburgh, PA.
2006 Lewis, E. (2006, November). Families of color in the fourth wave: What we still need to know. Presented at the National Council on Family Relations, Minneapolis, MN.
2005 Lewis, E. (2005, November). Taking stock of diversity in NCFR: Race, economic, gender and culture. Presented at the National Council on Family Relations, Phoenix, AZ.

Courses

Past Courses

Title Instructor Term Course Section Meeting Start Meeting End
Practice in International Social Work Lewis, Edith A. Fall 2012 001 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Contemporary Cultures in the United States Lewis, Edith A. Spring / Summer 2012 001 08:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Practice in International Social Work Lewis, Edith A. Fall 2011 001 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Independent Studies: Children and Youth in Families and Society Spring / Summer 2011 139 12:00 am 12:00 am View Course
Contemporary Cultures in the United States Lewis, Edith A. Spring / Summer 2011 001 08:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Practice in International Social Work Lewis, Edith A. Fall 2010 001 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Contemporary Cultures in the United States Lewis, Edith A. Spring / Summer 2010 001 08:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Independent Studies: Evaluation Winter 2010 139 12:00 am 12:00 am View Course
Independent Studies: Management of Human Services Winter 2010 139 12:00 am 12:00 am View Course
Practice in International Social Work Lewis, Edith A. Fall 2009 001 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course