Presbyterians gear up for CSW70 in New York to advocate for women
First-timers and returning delegates eager to work toward ‘ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls’
LOUISVILLE — Advocacy will be on the minds of many Presbyterians as they head to New York this week to prepare for the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
The Rev. Lyn Oakley, pastor of Washington Presbyterian Church in Corryton, Tennessee, near Knoxville, is among those eagerly awaiting the annual gathering, also known as CSW70. It will take place from March 9-19 at UN Headquarters alongside numerous side and parallel events at various venues.
“Participating in CSW strengthens mission and advocacy by connecting local ministry to global realities,” said Oakley, a returning delegate. “It expands our understanding of systemic challenges facing women and girls while also building relationships that foster compassion and collaborative action. For me, it bridges the work of the church with the work of justice in a tangible, meaningful way.”
Oakley is part of a joint delegation of nearly 70 people, recruited and accompanied by the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations (PMUN) and Presbyterian Women. Sue Rheem, manager of the PMUN office in New York, said it will be the largest delegation within Ecumenical Women, a coalition of more than 20 Christian organizations that advocates for gender equality at the UN.
“CSW is the largest annual forum dedicated to gender equality and women’s rights,” Rheem said. “The Commission brings together experts and grassroots organizations to share ideas and best practices, outcomes that can influence laws and policies. UN Women expects over 15,000 attendees, participation from 139 countries, 5,000-plus organizations, and over 750 events.”
Ahead of the official gathering, the Presbyterian delegation will meet on Friday for PC(USA) orientation at the Church of the Covenant, where they will be worshiping on International Women’s Day, Sunday, March 8. The delegation also will take part in various events with Ecumenical Women, an international coalition of church denominations and ecumenical organizations that have status with the Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) at the UN.
About half of the PC(USA)/PW delegates are young adults, some of whom will be sharing their experiences with the denomination through video blogging — also known as vlogging — that will be posted on youth-centered platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok. (The event also will be followed by the Presbyterian News Service).
“As a young adult staff member, having other young adult Presbyterians visit PMUN and take part in delegations is a highlight of my job,” said Clare Balsan, Advocacy Associate for PMUN. “The Presbyterian young adults who have participated in Presbyterian delegations to UN conferences have each brought unique and thoughtful insights and experiences which have only strengthened the witness and presence of our greater delegations and our office.”
This year’s CSW priority theme is “Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers.”
This is in step with the PC(USA) because “Presbyterians are called to be active in the world, to work for justice and to address systemic inequality, so it is important to engage with the world and to continue to advocate for gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls,” Rheem said. “Globally, women have 64% of the legal rights of men. Unfortunately, women and girls still face discrimination, barriers to justice, accessing remedies and protection.”
While many of this year’s delegates are first-timers, there also are several returning delegates who’ve been enriched by past experiences.
Oakley, who will be attending for the third time, said, “I am participating in CSW70 because I believe faith communities have a vital role to play in advancing justice, dignity, and equity for women and girls around the world. As a pastor, I see every day how policy decisions affect real lives. CSW provides a sacred space where advocacy, mission, and global partnership intersect, and I am honored to be part of those conversations. … My time at the United Nations has profoundly shaped my sacred call. Each year stretches me personally and spiritually, challenging me to lead with deeper compassion, broader vision, and a stronger commitment to justice rooted in faith.”
Another person who’s excited to attend is the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Grice, pastor of New Life Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska.
“I am a CSW70 delegate because of my goal in life to empower women and girls,” Grice explained. “I like to hear the life stories of women around the world and here in the United States. I plan to share the information with my presbytery and synod, hoping to inspire others to attend CSW in the future.”
Grice, a former crisis counselor for victims of domestic violence, went on to say, “Sharing these stories helps others with their situations and provides hope. Oftentimes, women in dire circumstances feel alone, and it helps to know someone else has or had the same experiences and how they overcame them. … The stories to share about the experiences of women around the world are enlightening and heartwarming as well as a call to justice for women's rights.”
Bettie Stammerjohn, a member of Faith United Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania, is looking forward to participating in CSW70 as a catalyst for stepping out and becoming “more active in mission through advocating and educating.”
Stammerjohn, moderator of Presbyterian Women in Washington Presbytery, was inspired to become a delegate by a fellow member of PW.
“I felt called to participate in CSW70 in 2024, after hearing then PW Churchwide Vice-Moderator Kathleen Keefer speak about her experiences attending CSW68. I knew then that I wanted to attend and join with other Presbyterian Women, members of the PC(USA) and others in seeking ways to empower women.”
This year, as a first-time attendee, “I am looking forward to learning more about the impacts of gender inequality worldwide and to add my voice in bringing attention to the large and small efforts to address those issues, especially policies surrounding sexual violence, human trafficking, education, economics and removing the structural and cultural barriers for women to thrive,” Stammerjohn said. “This is especially important for me, not only as a woman, but as a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. I hope that the generations of women and girls who come after me will finally be treated with respect, with dignity, and have full participation in decision making in public life. Free from violence. Free from demeaning language. Free from hearing ‘Me too.’”
Read a collection of CSW reflections here.
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