Secretary
Ms. Patricia Rutenberg
Province IV – Knoxville, TN
I have had extensive professional experience in writing, and I have served as secretary on numerous boards, including the ECW of Province IV and the ECW of the Diocese of East Tennessee (I have also served as president on the diocesan and province levels). Professionally, I hold the Ph.D. in history from the University of Tennessee, and I have written a book and various articles and book reviews. Currently I serve as a Distinguished Lecturer in the History Department at the University of Tennessee. My current research focuses on American and British women in the peace movement during World War I.
All of my courses are considered writing-intensive courses.
1. What Triennial Meetings have you attended as a delegate or alternate or in some other capacity?
• 2015, Salt Lake City, President of Province IV ECW
• 2018, San Antonio, Texas, Delegate from the Diocese of East Tennessee
• 2012 (in absentia), Indianapolis, Indiana, I was honored to be chosen as the Distinguished Woman from the Diocese of East Tennessee
2. What are your current church-related or community-related activities?
• Province IV, ECW Immediate Past Secretary
• Diocese of East Tennessee, ECW Secretary; Upcoming UTO Chair
• The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Knoxville, Immediate Past Vestry
• The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Knoxville, Becoming Beloved Community Ministry, Co-Chair (2021-22)
• The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Knoxville, ECW Board, as past Co-President and currently as Programs Chair
• The Episcopal School of Knoxville, Board and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee (through 2023)
• Knoxville Museum of Art, Board and Executive Board (through 2022)
• Beck Cultural Exchange Center (African American History and Culture), Beck Cultural Corridor Committee
• Beck Cultural Exchange Center and the Historic Bijou Theater, Second Balcony Committee
• Knoxville History Project, Board, 2022 through present
3. What talents and skills would you bring to the National Board of the ECW?
Programming
As Province IV ECW president, I initiated and implemented a 3-year program, “Building Bridges of Peace and Reconciliation”
- Year 1: In ourselves and our families
Year 2: In our parishes and communities, with an emphasis on racial reconciliation
Year 3: In our country and our world
As a member of the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Knoxville, Tennessee, I helped to initiate, and I co-chaired the Becoming Beloved Community Ministry, which offered Sunday School and Wednesday evening book discussions and seminars on racial justice and reconciliation.
In my upper division public history class at the University of Tennessee, I have created and implemented a curriculum that connects students to the broader community through internships in historic houses, the Beck Cultural Exchange Center (African American history and culture), and other museums in the Knoxville area.
In the History Department at UT, I have designed and implanted an ongoing outreach program to inner-city high schools in Knoxville.
Teaching and Public Speaking
I have taught at numerous levels, from secondary school through graduate school, focusing primarily on university undergraduate teaching. My undergraduate history courses are classified as writing-intensive courses.
Outreach
I am involved in numerous boards and committees at the university, parish, community, diocesan, and province levels.
• Long-standing commitment to the mission of the ECW
• Leadership in the ECW at the province, diocesan, and parish levels
• Professional writing skills (I have published a book, articles and book reviews)
• Long-standing commitment to diverse communities
• Organizational skills and time management; ability to see the big picture as well
• Sense of responsibility and devotion to organizations in which I am involved
4. Why are you interested in serving on the National Board of the ECW?
• I believe in the Episcopal Church Women and its mission.
• I recognize the influence of women and their ability to work together to bring about positive change in their families, parishes, communities, and world.
• My research as a historian and writer has been focused on the role of women in war and peace.
• I can bring energy and vision to the National ECW board.
• My skills and experience in writing will serve the national ECW board.