Influential Woman · Government
Gaynell Bird
Social Worker, --
Billings, MT
Her Story
About Gaynell
Gaynell Bird serves as a social worker for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Billings, Montana. In this role, she focuses on CPS work and supports Native American populations across multiple tribes. Bird initially pursued studies on a music scholarship with the goal of becoming a music teacher, but she transitioned into social work. She credits her professional success to her work ethic and the value of treating people with respect regardless of their background. Among the challenges in her field, Bird highlights the need to recruit more social workers for CPS positions and emphasizes the importance of establishing professional boundaries to sustain long-term effectiveness in the role.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gaynell
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my work ethic. Probably that I was taught to treat people with respect regardless of where they came from or who they are. My parents have done good.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them to take care of themselves and their families and have professional boundaries. The job is rewarding but sometimes at a cost. As social workers we tend to put our job first and flee our homes in the middle of the night but we don't have a mechanism of taking care of ourselves.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the big challenges is recruiting social workers to do CPS work. Social work isn't a degree from the past, it's a degree that fits every era. You can create more from it and get a better reward system if you put those boundaries in place.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say my work ethic. I was taught to treat people with respect regardless of where they came from or who they are.
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