February 11, 1998 -- Continuing their history of political activism and advocacy around racial justice issues, Women’s Division president Sara Shingler and two staff participated in "A Conversation with Women Leaders on Race," a round-table discussion on Capitol Hill on Friday, February 6, that was part of One America: The President’s Initiative on Race.
Led by top Clinton administration members, the discussion involved a diverse group of women leaders from for-profit and non-profit organizations and from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Ms. Shingler saw the purpose of the event as two fold. "They wanted to inform women leaders of the President’s initiative, and to give leaders the opportunity to share their insights, programs and projects promoting racial justice," says Ms. Shingler.
Maria Echaveste, assistant to President Clinton and director of the office of public liaison, said that members of Clinton’s committee see a variety of ways to view racism such as: historically, demographically, in terms of equal opportunity in education and the economy, or stereotypes and assumptions.
"There is a wide window of opportunity for us to give input into this initiative," says Anna Rhee, participant and executive secretary for public policy at the Women’s Division. The intention was not to come to an agreement on racial justice issues, she says. President Clinton’s staff wanted to collect information. "It gave United Methodist Women a chance to share their long-time and continuing involvement in anti-racism," she says.
The convener of Ms. Shingler’s discussion was aware of the efforts of United Methodist Women in the area of racial justice, says Ms. Shingler. However, United Methodist Women’s efforts were new to many of the participants.
Ms. Shingler and staff members distributed packets to the White House Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach that included reports on Women’s Division funding of racial justice initiatives, reports by the committee looking at ministries in the midst of hate and violence, self-monitoring tools on institutional racism, and racial justice workshop models.
Ms. Shingler shared with participants the Charter for Racial Justice Policies in an Interdependent Global Community that was written by the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries in 1978. The Charter was adopted by General Conference in 1980 upon the recommendation of the Division. The Division continues to encourage United Methodist Women to study and act on the principles and goals of this Charter.
She also showed them the newly published, Fellowship of Love by Alice G. Knotts, which looks at the history and lives of Methodist women who put their faith into practice for racial justice. She informed them of Women’s Division covenant groups, in which directors and staff work through, reflect on, and discuss their own racial justice issues.
This information-sharing session is important for United Methodist Women and the whole United Methodist Church, says Robin Small McCarthy, participant and executive secretary for racial justice at the Women’s Division. "We want people to respond to the President’s call for feedback and advice."
Ms. Small-McCarthy says United Methodist Women can give different perspectives in faith-based anti-racism work, how to promote racial justice and peacemaking, and ways to encourage an environment where people’s differences are honored.
The Women’s Division represents United Methodist Women, an organization of one million members. The organization’s purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders, and advocate for social justice. Members raise more than $25 million a year for programs and projects related to women, children, and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world.