United Women In Faith New General Secretary, CEO

Supply: Sally Vonner

Tlisted here are so many challenges that trigger worry and nervousness in communities throughout the nation. Persons are hurting and in want of hope. However at a time of elevated muddle and content material, not each voice may be trusted. For these trying to find trusted leaders and uplifting content material, think about Sally Vonner and United Girls in Religion. With greater than 800,000 members worldwide, United Girls in Religion is the most important denominational group for girls within the nation. Lately, Vonner was elected because the group’s new normal secretary and CEO. Her workplace is in New York Metropolis, although the group operates globally.

I had an opportunity to meet up with Sally once I interviewed her on the “Religion Talks” podcast, which I host for the group each month. It’s possible you’ll pay attention right here. I additionally interviewed her for this piece. Learn on to study this inspiring chief who’s proving that highly effective girls defy the percentages at each stage in life.

What would you like readers to learn about United Girls in Religion?

United Girls in Religion is a sisterhood of ladies who simply imagine our love in motion can change the world for good. We deal with service and advocacy to deal with the wants of ladies, youngsters, and youth and offering girls with alternatives for religious development, management growth, and transformative schooling concerning the world God so loves.

We help applications for girls, youngsters, youth, and households throughout america at greater than 90 neighborhood facilities, residences, and colleges and internationally by accomplice organizations and our personal “regional missionaries,” who’re girls main empowerment applications for girls and youth of their dwelling and neighboring nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe.

We have been based in 1869, and at this time we’re the most important denominational group for girls as a part of The United Methodist Church. In 2022 we took a brand new title to mirror our want to welcome and embrace all girls taken with making a distinction of their lives and the lives of others.

Inform us about your historical past with United Girls in Religion?

I’m a longtime member of the group on the native, district, convention, and nationwide ranges. Previous to changing into normal secretary and CEO, I joined United Girls in Religion’s nationwide employees as assistant normal secretary of membership and management growth in 2010. I’m solely the second Black girl to be elected to guide United Girls in Religion and its predecessors within the group’s 154-year historical past. Theressa Hoover, who led from 1968 to 1990 was the primary Black girl to guide the group.

What does it imply to you to guide this group and to take action now?

It’s an unimaginable honor to helm a company with such a longtime and spectacular observe document. Notable girls —reminiscent of the good educator Mary McLeod Bethune, congressional trailblazer Shirley Chisholm, and suffragist Francis Willard —have been members of United Girls in Religion predecessor organizations, and I observe in these and lots of others’ steps. Girls who determined that the established order was unacceptable have been affiliated with our group, and I observe of their footsteps. At a time of a lot strife and struggling, United Girls in Religion goals to nurture and join with girls by Christian religious formation, management growth, inventive fellowship, and schooling in order that they’ll encourage, affect and impression native and world communities.

How can readers be a part of?

Readers can go to www.uwfaith.org to affix. We welcome all girls who embrace our mission, function and imaginative and prescient, no matter denomination.

How lengthy have you ever been related to The United Methodist Church?

I’ve been United Methodist since 1983. I even have held a number of positions inside The United Methodist Church, together with jurisdictional convention delegate for the North Texas Annual Convention and alternate in 2008, 2016, and 2020. I used to be an organizer for the denomination’s work on immigration help, neighborhood growth initiatives, and dismantling racism work. I used to be additionally commissioned as a U.S. missionary by the Normal Board of International Ministries in 2000 to serve within the North Texas Annual Convention because the Communities of Shalom Coordinator. Moreover, I used to be lucky to function the Affiliate Director of Connectional Ministries for the North Texas Annual Convention from 2005-2010.

On this new capability, what will probably be your major focus?

My major focus is to proceed to broaden United Girls in Religion’s mission and attain as we put our love and religion in motion to alter the world, and work to enhance the lives of ladies, youngsters, and youth world wide. My management fashion will probably be characterised by religion and belief in God, and inclusivity. I’ll draw upon the knowledge and ingenuity of our membership, the board of administrators, the Program Advisory Group, and my colleagues.

What organizations are you linked with outdoors of United Girls in Religion/the Methodist Church?

I serve on the board of The Wesley campus ministry at my alma mater Texas A&M Commerce. I’m additionally vice chairman of New York Justice For Our Neighbors. I’m a long-time member of Black Methodists for Church Renewal on the convention, jurisdiction, and nationwide ranges. Since 2021, I’ve been part of the ladies’s management cohort with JP Morgan Chase’s Neighborhood and Enterprise Improvement division. I’m additionally an lively member of the Bergen County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Will there be an official ceremony or set up to kick off your management time period?

Sure, there will probably be an set up service on July 29 in Dallas. Extra particulars are forthcoming.

Why are you being put in in Dallas versus New York Metropolis the place United Girls in Religion is headquartered?

Whereas the group is headquartered in New York, I needed the ceremony to be held in Dallas the place I’m from and be accessible to extra members, household and mates. It is very important me that my management be grounded in our members. I’m sending a message that I’ll lead this group with values of inclusivity, compassion, and innovation.

Are you able to speak extra about your philosophy on management?

Whatever the title one holds, management is a communal course of. We rise and fall collectively. Nice leaders search counsel and that’s what I intend to do – middle the knowledge and ingenuity of our membership and embrace their views on issues nice and small.

The place do you worship?

I’m a long-time member of First United Methodist Church of Grand Prairie, Texas; and I repeatedly attend Teaneck United Methodist Church in New Jersey (and am a member of the native United Girls in Religion group).

Jennifer R. Farmer is the creator of “First and Solely: A Black Lady’s Information to Thriving at Work and in Life,” and founding father of Highlight PR LLC. She is a guide for United Girls in Religion.