Directors Take Bold Stances at Fall 2001 Meeting

Women’s Division directors, the policy-making body of 1-million member United Methodist Women, met in Stamford, Conn., for their fall board meeting on October 19-22. Directors discussed and approved a variety of resolutions.

• Directors acknowledged the horrific events of September 11, but do not want the world to forget Afghan women and girls, who were the first victims of the Taliban. Directors are asking that women and girls are not further victimized, that their rights be restored when rebuilding the country begins, and that food and humanitarian assistance is increased for women and children. The Women’s Division voted to join the campaign to stop gender apartheid in Afghanistan. United Methodist Women members will write to U.S. Government officials and spread the word about the campaign. Directors also heard from Peter Sederberg, terrorism expert from University of South Carolina, and from Parvina Najibulla, a young United Methodist Woman who spent part of her life in Afghanistan and who continues to work for peace and justice.
  
• Since 1998, United Methodist Women have been participating in a hate crimes clipping project. Members of the organization have sent more than 1700 newspaper articles about hate crimes and church burnings. In conjunction with the Center for Democratic Renewal, the Women’s Division has been analyzing these articles to get a clearer picture of hate crimes in specific areas, their connection to hate groups, the need for hate crime laws, and the discrepancies of government reports.
  
• The 2002 Theressa Hoover Community Service and Global Citizen Award was given to Ekaterina Teachout of Ackerman, Miss. Ms. Teachout’s project will incorporate her experience with traditional medicine and her love of cultures as she travels to Cambodia to study alternative medicine and its use in developing nations.
  
• Fran Alguire, former Women’s Division director and first lay person to become president of the World Methodist Council, challenged directors to be world leaders. She said that as world leaders, you have to learn to expect the unexpected; uphold the purpose and history of your organization; preside with confidence; remember your faith; and have a sense of humor.
  
• Korean-American women will experience a first-of-its kind hands-on experience in mission. Directors approved a national training event for next year where Korean United Methodist Women will be doing hands-on mission at Sager Brown in Louisiana. They also approved a Women’s Division newsletter produced in the Korean language.
  
• Directors approved a grant to develop an online Spiritual Growth study on the biblical book of James. The grant will be on the web by late spring 2002.
  
• Directors approved 2002 appropriations to be $20,113,241. More than $9 million dollars will go to national and international mission projects focusing on women, children and youth. $11 million dollars will go back in the organization of United Methodist Women and their mission.

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For Further Information Contact:

Kelly C. Martini, executive secretary for communications, Women's Division
475 Riverside Drive, #1501, New York, NY 10115
Tel: (212) 870-3729
FAX: (212) 870-3736
e-mail: kmartini@gbgm-umc.org
URL: http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/