My BVM and UCC Faiths Intersect Giving Me Hope and Strength
Associate Dr. Sherry Warren attends the UN International Women’s Day 2023.
by Associate Dr. Sherry Warren
Every March the United Nations hears from one of its largest commissions and the only one that focuses specifically on women and girls around the world—the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). I have the honor of attending this event as part of my work as the United Church of Christ’s (UCC) National Ministries team, and that honor was first given to me by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Insights from CSW
When I was on the faculty at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, I was asked if I would take students to CSW to help them grow as feminists and develop a deeper understanding of the experience of women and girls internationally. I am so glad I accepted that request, because CSW continues to transform who I am, how I move through the world, and what social problems light my fire to take action.
The Intersections of Equity
In March 2024, I once again went to CSW and learned about how violence affects women and girls disproportionately, how menstruation is still stigmatized and shamed, how menstruators are shunned because they are experiencing a normal biological function, and how women and girls are intentionally kept out of the economy so as to keep them disempowered. This year’s priority theme of “Accelerating the Achievement of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of all Women and Girls by Addressing Poverty and Strengthening Institutions and Financing with a Gender Perspective” spoke to so many of the social problems women and girls experience.
Advocacy and Action
Poverty intersects with so many other social problems that affect individuals in both developing and more highly developed nations. Gender equity is at the root of solving many of the problems that continue to affect and limit the empowerment of women and girls. Concerns such as lack of bodily autonomy, the right to own land or property, access to culturally responsive healthcare, and stigmatization of the needs of the female body are all barriers to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by the target date of 2030.
Embracing BVM Charism
In my role as Minister for Women’s and Gender Justice, I weave together themes that are part of the reality of women and girls worldwide. I raise awareness of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through the Thursdays in Black campaign overseen by the World Council of Churches. I help provide liturgy and raise awareness of and advocate for ending sexual violence around the world through Break the Silence Sunday. I celebrate World Menstrual Hygiene Day in late May and have created a toolbox to help congregations assemble Period Pack hygiene kits to be distributed by World Church Service.
I write about important intersections with womanhood in Encounters at the Well. I invite conversations addressing the expansiveness of God, the challenges of ensuring bodily autonomy through reproductive justice, and advocate for creating welcoming communities of faith where all of God’s beloveds are truly welcome.
Finding Strength and Hope
I can proudly say that the work I humbly take on intersects with the BVM core values of freedom, education, charity, and justice. If it did not directly address and draw from these important values, I do not think I would have the energy to carry on in the face of so much violence, destruction, and harm that we carry out against one another. I am so thankful for my UCC AND my BVM faiths which give me strength and hope to push back against gender-based oppression and injustice. Thank you for being outspoken advocates for the needs of women and
girls worldwide!
Related: “Insights from the UN CSW: Women’s Rights are Human Rights” by Kari Litscher
This story was featured in:
SPRING 2024: BVMs on the Run Toward Justice
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