March 1997

Click on any of the following pictures for a larger image.

"Peru's Black Women: Triple Discrimination" by Paul Jeffrey

The help-wanted ads in Peru's newspapers show the discrimination. Employers want "black men" as door men and "black women" as cooks and maids. Better-paying positions go to people with white skin. Black women are victims of triple-discrimination: they're black, women, and poor. This article explores the discrimination problems in Peru and the efforts being made to bring about change.

"Education, Literacy: Key for Nigerian United Methodists" by Jeannie McGinnis

When asked how the United Methodist Nursery and Primary School compares with government schools, Bishop Peter Dabale commented, "There is no comparison. All the government officials want to send their children to our school." Founded in 1989, the school teaches children ages 3 through 6. This article delves into the need for such schools in Nigeria, the other schools around Nigeria that are being built, and the quest to extend education beyond children.

"New World Methodist Council Chair Says It All Began with United Methodist Women" by Erik Alsgaard

Fran Alguire recently became the first woman and first layperson elected to the World Methodist Council, representing more than 32 million Methodists from 108 countries around the world. This article explores her "can-do" attitude, the gospel message that holds special meaning for her, and how she represents the Methodist movement around the world. She says it all began with United Methodist Women.

"Membership in Motion" by Ressie Mae Bass and Cheryl A. Hemmerle

When 60 women met in late 1996, they came up with a top-notch recipe for United Methodist Women membership growth. The consultation included teen women, college/university women, young women ages 19-39, and recently retired women. This article looks at the recipe for growth, the work the consultation accomplished, and the winners of the poster contest that drew submissions from all ages and areas of the United States.

(Click here to see the winning posters.)

"In the Beginning" by Yvette Moore

The Women's Division President, Eunice Harrington, stood before 24 women from across the United States on January 28, 1972. The goal was to create one new inclusive organization following the merging of the United Brethren and Methodist Churches. As part of United Methodist Women's 25th anniversary, this article relates the viewpoints of many of the participants, how they addressed the times, how they chose the name, and the challenge of getting women to support the new organization.

"Giving Material Resources: A New Opportunity" by Dana E. Jones

Along the bayou in Baldwin, Louisianna, United Methodist Committee on Relief has built a depot for disaster and emergency relief supplies on Women's Division-owned property. The message that staff conveyed, "Fill the 48,000-foot warehouse, and we'll see that donations are sent to those in need." This article tells about the shipping operation, the new opportunities for mission giving, and how to get involved.

See also:

• Response
• Responsively Yours
• United Methodist Women
• Women's Division
• February Edition of Response