[The Episcopal Church Women and the Episcopal Women’s Caucus have announced a joint initiative to financially support our Episcopal delegates to the UN Commission on the Status of Women to be held March 14-24, 2016. We also promised to post stories from previous delegates to the UNCSW and the stories of our delegates this year.]

JENNIFER’S STORY: In her own words

I am from the Diocese of Kansas and I live on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metropolitan area. I have attended St. Michael and All Angels Church for almost 40 years. I’ve been involved in a variety of ministries, but my experience with Kansas to Kenya has been the most transformative. Kansas to Kenya is a mission initiative which provides community and medical support to communities in and around the Kenyan Diocese of Nakuru, based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. I have helped to support the Agatha Amani House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, and coordinate Women’s Seminars for the past 4 years. I will be going to Kenya for the 5th time this year, which is the 10th anniversary of K2K.

Through my work in Kenya, I have become acutely aware of the connection between the status of women and the success of a country. Women who are denied education, health care, safety, and dignity are unable to significantly improve their economic condition. Women who are empowered members of their communities are able to effectively work for sustainable, long-term change. The lessons I have learned in Kenya, are applicable in the United States as well, as we continue to work for equal education, equity of pay, and domestic safety here at home.

It is the interconnectedness of women’s issues globally that makes me so excited and thankful to have the opportunity to meet with women from around the country and the world, to debate, pray, work, and craft language that will impact the future of women around the world. Although we are just getting to know each other, I can tell that the chance to work with the Episcopal Delegation to the UNCSW will be life changing for me, and will enhance my own ministry. I am hopeful that I will gain new resources to help my work with the women of Kenya and to assist with new mission opportunities working with women in and around Kansas City who are victims of human trafficking. The work to improve the status of women is immense and it takes each of us, one day at a time, one mission at a time, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Thank you for whatever support you are able to provide. Please feel free to share my story however you feel is appropriate. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.

Seven of the 18 delegates have responded to our invitation to assist them in raising the $4,000 needed to attend the gathering in New York City. Any amount you can give will help.