Dr. Elaine M. Walsh Named to 2013 New York State Senate Women of Distinction

Elaine M. Walsh, Ph.D., LCSW, a lifelong New Yorker, has been a passionate and dedicated advocate in her community her entire adult life. A graduate of College of White Plains, now Pace University, and having received her MSW and Ph.D from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, Dr. Walsh is not only accomplished professionally but also has an impressive history of selfless volunteerism. 

Currently, she is president of the East 86th Street Merchants / Residents Association, an organization she helped found, co-chair of the East 86th Street Network and a member of the Manhattan Community Board #8. In these roles, she advocates for policies and programs that benefit local residents and businesses in securing services from the City. Her East 86th Street organization has been successful in taking the blighted East 86th Street corridor and creating what will be a boulevard area that is more welcoming—lighted by historic lampposts, new sidewalks and street furniture, legal signage, trees and plantings. 

A social worker by profession, Dr. Walsh is an associate professor in the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning at Hunter College where she has directed the Public Service Scholar Program for 27 years. She also teaches courses in nonprofit management, strategic planning, and program development. In addition, she has served as the principal investigator of the Hunter College Liberty Partnership Program from 1989 to the present, and she is currently principal investigator of the Gallagher Initiative, a study of aging Irish residents in the City. 

Prior to moving to Hunter College, she had 15 years practice experience, first as a caseworker and staff consultant at New York Foundling Hospital. She later worked as director of senior citizen crime prevention in the New York City Department for the Aging and then as director of elderly services at the Victim Services Agencies. 

In addition to her community activities, Dr. Walsh has engaged actively in the Fund for the Advancement of Social Services and National Association of Social Workers. She has also served as a consultant to a number of New York City social service and legal rights organizations. 

For her inexhaustible efforts on behalf of her community and her dedication to her work, Dr. Walsh has received a litany of awards, including the New York City Chapter, NASW Leadership Award; Fordham University Alumni Award; Advocate’s Award from the NYC Public Advocate; Women’s Leadership Award from the Manhattan Borough President; the NYC Comptroller’s Award as an Outstanding Irish Educator in Social Policy and Leadership; and the OTTY award for her leadership with East 86th Street Association.