Jennifer Allen, Episcopal Church delegate to the UNCSW

The Episcopal Women’s Caucus and The Episcopal Church Women are pleased to announce a joint initiative to support our Episcopal Delegates to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women to be held this year, March 14-24. Each week we will post the story of a delegate that we are supporting and invite you to contribute as you are able by going to the EWC website and clicking on the  EWC "Margo Fund"

Here is Jennifer Allen's story. See other stories in older posts.

I am from the Diocese of Kansas and I live on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metropolitan area. I have attended St. Michael and All Angels Church for almost 40 years. I've been involved in a variety of ministries, but my experience with Kansas to Kenya has been the most transformative. Kansas to Kenya is a mission initiative which provides community and medical support to communities in and around the Kenyan Diocese of Nakuru, based on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. I have helped to support the Agatha Amani House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, and coordinate Women's Seminars for the past 4 years. I will be going to Kenya for the 5th time this year, which is the 10th anniversary of K2K.

Through my work in Kenya, I have become acutely aware of the connection between the status of women and the success of a country. Women who are denied education, health care, safety, and dignity are unable to significantly improve their economic condition. Women who are empowered members of their communities are able to effectively work for sustainable, long-term change. The lessons I have learned in Kenya, are applicable in the United States as well, as we continue to work for equal education, equity of pay, and domestic safety here at home.

It is the interconnectedness of women's issues globally that makes me so excited and thankful to have the opportunity to meet with women from around the country and the world, to debate, pray, work, and craft language that will impact the future of women around the world. Although we are just getting to know each other, I can tell that the chance to work with the Episcopal Delegation to the UNCSW will be life changing for me, and will enhance my own ministry. I am hopeful that I will gain new resources to help my work with the women of Kenya and to assist with new mission opportunities working with women in and around Kansas City who are victims of human trafficking. The work to improve the status of women is immense and it takes each of us, one day at a time, one mission at a time, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Thank you for whatever support you are able to provide. Please feel free to share my story however you feel is appropriate. Don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. I have also attached an article published in The Harvest, our diocesan magazine.

UNCSW Delegate story: Erin Morey

The Episcopal Women’s Caucus and The Episcopal Church Women are pleased to announce a joint initiative to support our Episcopal Delegates to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women to be held this year, March 14-24. Of the eighteen delegates selected by then Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, seven have responded to our invitation to assist them in raising the funds needed to attend, each anticipates needing about $4000.00 to attend the two weeks event. 

We invite you to send in donations, in any amount, the “EWC Margo” Fund found on the Episcopal Women’s Caucus Website: EWC Margo Fund

Over the next several weeks we will post stories from previous delegates to the UNCSW and the stories of our delegates this year.  Here is Erin Morey's story:

I represented a lot of people during my time as a criminal defense attorney in the Office of the Public Defender in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, but I was most moved by the women I represented.  They told me about their lives, the violence they had suffered, their love for their children.  When I left the office, I knew I wanted to work with women who were surviving trauma.  I started representing women seeking court orders to help them stay safe from abusive partners.  Eventually, I started working directly with survivors outside of the courtroom.  I now serve as a hotline advocate for Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR), and the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), groups that serve survivors of sexual violence.  I also serve as a shelter and hotline advocate and support group facilitator for the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, which serves survivors of intimate partner violence.

Last year, I had the honor of being selected by Katharine Jefferts Schori, the first woman to serve as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, to be a member of the Church's inaugural delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.  Having spent so much time working one-on-one with people in Pittsburgh, I was honored to have been selected to amplify the voices of women in global advocacy.  I was also honored to be representing the Church, because my faith deeply informs the work I do, and helps me find the grace to persevere in times of challenge.  

Serving as a delegate was a profoundly transformative experience.  Our delegation represented a diversity of people doing great work from all over the Church, and we joyfully, prayerfully bonded together.   We watched presentations from a broad array of human rights experts and grassroots activists from all over the world.  We met with leaders, to talk about our hopes for the world, and find out how the Church could support ongoing efforts to help women and girls.

Upon returning home, I continued to serve survivors directly, but also began to engage in advocacy to change systems and institutions.  I serve on the vestry of my parish, St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and we worked to create a new Social Justice Committee.  The committee works to help parishioners learn about issues of concern, and how they can help.  Recently, we joined the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network, and are working with other congregations to organize our community and advocate for an even better world.  I engaged in legislative advocacy with local elected officials, and continued to seek out advocacy training opportunities.

I am very excited to be returning to UNCSW on behalf of the Church in 2016.  Each year, the session focuses on particular themes, and one of this year's themes is ending violence against women.  I cannot wait to attend and learn from other women working with survivors all around the world.  Most of all, I can't wait to meet my fellow delegates and work to share Christ's peace with everyone on Earth.

Support the Episcopal Delegates to the UNCSW

The Episcopal Women’s Caucus and The Episcopal Church Women are pleased to announce a joint initiative to support our Episcopal Delegates to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women to be held this year, March 14-24. Of the eighteen delegates selected by then Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, seven have responded to our invitation to assist them in raising the funds needed to attend, each anticipates needing about $4000.00 to attend the two weeks event. 

Over the next several weeks we will post stories from previous delegates to the UNCSW and the stories of our delegates this year. 

We invite you to send in donations, in any amount, the “EWC Margo” Fund found on the Episcopal Women’s Caucus Website: EWC Margo Fund

What is the UNCSW?

The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) is held every year for two weeks in late February or early March. The Commission on the Status of Women was formalized in 1946. “The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.” UN Women

Representatives of UN Member States, civil society organizations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York for the two week session. “They discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, and the 23rd special session of the General Assembly held in 2000 (Beijing+5), as well as emerging issues that affect gender equality and the empowerment of women. Member States agree on further actions to accelerate progress and promote women’s enjoyment of their rights in political, economic and social fields.” UN Women CSW 

One does not need to be a delegate from a member state or an NGO in order to attend the UNCSW because there are many parallel events that take place during the two weeks the commission meets. Here are some guidelines for preparing for the conference:

• Acquire the NGO event and workshop schedule, available on line at the UNCSW website approximately a week before the event begins. Review the schedule and preplan the workshops and events you want to attend. 

• Be sure to pre-register for the Ecumenical Women’s Orientation (usually held on the Saturday before the opening session) and the NGO orientation (usually held on the Sunday before the opening session). 

• Workshops begin at 8:00am and end at 7:30pm, running for 90 minutes with 30 minutes in between. Workshops are offered in two or three primary locations including the United Nations Church Center on 44^th Street and 1^st Avenue (across from the UN).You will find the locations listed in the NGO workshop guide. Attending workshops is free of charge. 

• Wear comfortable clothing that can be layered to adjust to NYC weather, which can change quickly. Remember to bring an umbrella.

• Bring several pairs of shoes as you will walk a lot and your feet will need the variety.

• If you are ordained wear your clerical collar, it helps to make the statement that ordained people care about this event and these issues, and are willing to be present. 

• Take the time to watch the opening session of the UNCSW, usually on Monday morning of the first week. Viewing is available via webcam at the UN Church Center Chapel and at various NGO sites.

The Episcopal Church is considered an NGO and in 2015 received NGO delegate status for the UN. This means that the Episcopal Church is be able to send 20 delegates to the UN to lobby our UN representatives on issues we are concerned with.