Frankie V. Adams collection

1902 July 9

Born in Danville, Kentucky, to Mr. and Mrs. James T. Adams, the youngest of seven siblings

1925

Graduated from Knoxville College (A.B.)

1927

Earned diploma from the New York School of Social Work

1927-1931

Industrial Secretary, Chicago Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA)

1931-1964

Taught at the Atlanta University School of Social Work

1937

Graduated from New York University (M.A., Education)

1944-1945

National YWCA War Community Consultant

1944

Published Soulcraft: Sketches on Negro-White Relations Designed to Encourage Friendship

1947

Atlanta School of Social Work became part of Atlanta University

1957

Published Some Pioneers in Social Work: Brief Sketches; Student Work Book with Whitney M. Young, Jr.

1960-1961

Acting Dean of Atlanta University School of Social Work

1964

Retired from Atlanta University

1965

Taught at the University of Georgia School of Social Work

1965-1967

Worked for Economic Opportunity Atlanta, Inc.

1968-1970

Worked with Project Head Start

1977

Interviewed by Gay Francine Banksfor Radcliffe College's Black Women Oral History Project

1979 August 29

Died in Atlanta, Georgia

Florence "Frankie" Victoria Adams (b. 1902 d. 1979) was a social worker, educator, author, and community activist. For most of her career, she was associated with the Atlanta School of Social Work (later the Atlanta University School of Social Work), the first school for African Americans to be accredited by the American Association of Schools of Social Work. At the request of Director Forrester B. Washington, Adams joined the faculty in 1931. She developed courses and trained students in the newly emerging disciplines of community organization and group work. As a member of the Committee on Group Work of the American Association of Social Work, she helped influence the curriculum and content of group work nationally. During her 33 years with the School she taught some 2,500 students, served as Acting Dean for two interim periods, and culminated her tenure as Associate Dean. In recognition of her contributions, the Atlanta University School of Social Work Alumni Association honored Adams in 1965 with a testimonial dinner held during the National Conference on Social Welfare annual meeting. In 1968 the University presented her with an award for outstanding service.

Adams remained active in social work after her retirement, working with Economic Opportunity Atlanta to develop neighborhood service centers in disadvantaged areas of the city. Upon her second retirement she volunteered for Project Head Start. She authored two books, Soulcraft: Sketches on Negro-White Relations Designed to Encourage Friendship(c. 1944), and The Reflections of Florence Victoria Adams, a history of the Atlanta University School of Social Work. Reflections details the development of the School, its leadership and curricula, and includes a brief description of Adams's contributions. She completed the draft manuscript three weeks before her death in 1979. It was published posthumously by the School in 1981.

Adams was involved in numerous local, state, and national organizations including Atlanta's Gate City Day Nursery, the National Association of Social Workers, National Conference on Social Welfare, YWCA (national and local), Georgia White House Conference on Aging, President's Committee on Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Crime, and the Georgia Gerontology Society. She had a strong Christian faith and her papers include a few prayers and religious articles she wrote, and news articles, programs, and certificates related to her activities with Mt. Olive Baptist Church.