Anglican Women’s Empowerment

Women as Peacemakers

by Janice Burroughs

Having been given the opportunity to attend The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women with the delegation from Anglican Women’s Empowerment, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, I left for New York excited and wide-eyed.  Over ninety women from the Anglican Communion gathered to focus on the theme of the annual CSW event---The Elimination of Violence and Discrimination against all Women, particularly the Girl Child.  Thousands joined us from every corner of the globe to learn about acts of violence and discrimination against women.  Much work was done; stories were told, caucuses struggled for consensus, and parallel events were held by various non-government organizations which challenged each of us to join their efforts to help women and children.  For the first time in the sixty-year history of the UN, doors were opened to delegates under the age of eighteen.  The children came to join their voices with us in common love for humanity and an earnest desire to improve the lives of others.

Even with all the hustle and bustle throughout the United Nations complex, relationships were forged in common understanding.  Perhaps it was in the way we organized into relational circle groups; perhaps it was in how we networked differently.  Whatever the reason, connections were made that crossed time, space, and cultural boundaries.  Our work turned out to be more about equality and harmony as one young woman commented. 

Perhaps we were beginning to envision the work of shalom that Bishop Katharine mentions, a world of peace that eventually comes when our work is an outgrowth of our love and concern for each other.  This peace is not only the absence of war, but also a world peace in which everyone would live as he or she is created in the image of God so that no one goes hungry or is treated unfairly.  Perhaps this work is the work of global peacemaking and reconciliation that challenges us to dream and to act.

While at the United Nations, we met Jean Shinoda Bolen, author of Urgent Message from Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World.  In her book, she notes that “Women with concern for humanity will carry within them the seeds of compassionate activism.”  That women love not only their own children, but also all children of the world is an inherent and transformative force to be used for good, to be offered for peace.  Bolen reminded us that we are that untapped source of peace that could change the world.

I could tell you about plenary sessions, presentations, cultural events, and roundtables.  We could discuss information from the 192 nations gathered to voice concerns, set policies, adopt resolutions, and report the status of human rights in every corner of the globe.  However, while these aspects are quite important, I discovered the lasting impressions of this experience had far more to do with the relationships that were forged while we women gathered together and worked in love for a common cause.  A natural affinity and camaraderie emerged the moment we gathered, a moment of unity and peace.  We welcomed each other as sisters and left with friendships, partnerships, and promises to continue to support and encourage each other across the miles.  In this time and space, in the shadow of the United Nations, we discovered that we were bound together with our love of God and God’s love for us. We left with ways to improve the lives of others and ourselves, to encourage each other to continue to live our lives in truth, justice, and peace. 

These friendships, partnerships and promises have shed new light on my life, a light that helps to focus more intently on the importance and meaning of the Millennium Development Goals and world peace. 

Our resolve was clear: “The sisterhood of suffering is at the heart of our theology and our commitment to transforming the whole world through peace with justice.  Rebuilding and reconciling the world is central to our faith.” 

I am forever blessed and honored by this experience which has helped to open both my eyes and my heart as I imagine a new life of the world to come, a world in which peace is never an after thought, but a way of life.   

Janice Burroughs is co-convener of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship for her diocese and a contact for information concerning the Millennium Development Goals. She recently attended the 51st UNCSW meeting as a delegate with the Anglican Consultative Council and serves on the steering committee for the 2007 delegation. For more information about the Anglican Women’s Empowerment project: contact 

KimRobey: krobey@episcopalchurch.org   OR

http://www. episcopalchurch.org/women.htm