The UNCSW began March 14. The Episcopal Women's Caucus and The Episcopal Church Women have partnered to help support the Episcopal Delegates to the UNCSW. In the comments section are instructions for donating.
Here is Sarah Watkins' story:
I am a UNCSW delegate from the Diocese
of Texas. I am a member of St. James'
Episcopal Church, Austin, where I serve on the vestry and worship with an
emerging Latino missional community.
For the last decade, I have been heavily
involved in local, state, and national efforts to end the warehousing of people
with disabilities in nursing homes and other institutions. As a woman with a
significant physical disability who depends on the paid support of other women
to live my daily life, the fight to end unnecessary institutionalization and
extend quality community-based services to anyone who needs them is deeply
personal.
I currently serve as president of
Community Now!, a grassroots organization working to right-size the system of
large, publicly-operated institutions in Texas and expand alternatives to institutionalization
for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
I also volunteer as a legal assistant with a local immigration attorney who
represents women and children locked up in detention centers for fleeing violence
in their home countries.
I come to UNCSW passionate about the many
intersecting injustices faced by women with disabilities and women immigrants, including physical and social isolation; increased risk for sexual and other forms of violence; and economic
marginalization. I am particularly excited to use this opportunity to highlight
the need for global action to promote the community integration and full potential
of women and girls with disabilities. I look forward to encouraging The
Episcopal Church and our faith partners to engage more fully in the ongoing
work of seeking social justice for women, girls and all people with
disabilities.
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