Beyond the logic of pessimism: A personal portrait of Bertha Capen Reynolds

Bertha Reynolds, one of the early contributiors to the clinical and political heritage of social work, is presented here from a personal perspective. Noted for her courage, vision, perceptiveness, and-above all-deep caring for humanity, Bertha was also a person who never felt she was anybody. In this article a view of the personal and professional Bertha Reynolds is presented. Questions are then raised about the relevance of Reynolds' thinking to modern times.