Young Adult Volunteer reflects on advocacy and justice after participating in 'Girls on Fire' panel
Ecumenical event was held during this year's Commission on the Status of Women in New York
Ecumenical Women recently hosted its annual “Girls on Fire” panel, an event highlighting young women’s perspectives in advocacy on justice, leadership and what it means to stand up for girls in their generation. Alongside three other women from Canada, the Netherlands and India, I was honored to be invited to participate in the panel while attending the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) as a Presbyterian delegate.
Advocacy has always been an important expression of my faith. I began contacting my elected officials in middle school through emails and phone calls to express my concerns, and by ninth grade, I was arranging in-person meetings with local leaders. The first place I drove after receiving my learner’s permit was to a school board meeting addressing concerns about gun violence. For two summers, I had the privilege of serving as a fellow with the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness in Washington, D.C., where I continued to communicate the concerns of the General Assembly. Now, I serve as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) at the U.S./Mexico border, living and working in the communities of Agua Prieta, Sonora, and Douglas, Arizona.
Earlier this month, I was part of a joint delegation of almost 70 Presbyterians who traveled to New York City for CSW70, the United Nations’ annual review of gender equality. During the event, delegates have the opportunity to attend sessions hosted by both UN Member States and non-governmental organizations.
During the panel at the Church Center for the United Nations, we were asked a variety of questions related to justice and inclusion, particularly for women and girls. When asked which women or girls inspire us to care about justice, we all shared that our mothers and grandmothers were instrumental in planting that seed within us. I also spoke about how deeply I am inspired by women serving in clergy and other church leadership roles, especially given that this remains a polarizing topic across denominations. When asked about moments in which we have witnessed injustice toward women or girls, I reflected on the stories I encounter daily while living alongside the community at the U.S./Mexico border during my year of service.
When I think about the word justice, I am drawn to the themes woven throughout Scripture, which reveal a God of love, kindness, and mercy. In passages such as Micah 6:8, Matthew 25, Psalm 82:3, Isaiah 1:17, Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 89:14, justice is not exclusive, as women and girls are included among those celebrated as being created in the image of a loving God.
Throughout the week our delegation attended CSW, the fruits of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control were evident in the actions of those within the faith community. The most common theme shared was hope: hope as we walk humbly with God, trusting that all people may experience the justice promised to them in Scripture.
Learn more about Olivia Phelps here, and view a young adult vlog about various CSW-related activities and topics here.
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