Welcome to UU Women and Religion
Welcome! The Women and Religion Movement is alive and well in the 21st Century. A grassroots project started by lay leaders in the 1970s as an effort to promote examination of religious roots of sexism and patriarchy within the UUA and beyond, UU Women and Religion officially began as a task force following the unanimously-passed WOMEN AND RELIGION RESOLUTION at the 1977 UUA General Assembly. Although the Task Force was eventually sunsetted, the movement still exists in UU Districts that hold Women & Religion programs and woman-focused gatherings. It exists at General Assembly, where UUW&R has an annual gathering and a booth in the display area. And it lives in the hearts and lives of women and men who have been touched by the many changes inspired by this movement.
"We do not want a piece of the pie. It is still a patriarchal pie. We want to change the recipe!" -- Rosemary Matson
Dorothy May Emerson (1943-2019)
It is with sadness we share that Rev. Dr. Dorothy May Emerson passed away on May 13th, 2019. Dorothy was beloved in her community. Her life and works touched many. Her memoir “Sea Change: The Unfinished Agenda of the 1960s” was published just last year. We are grateful to have this glimpse of her life’s experiences and philosophies written in her own words.
A memorial service for Dorothy will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 10:00 am, Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church, 70 W Emerson St, Melrose, MA 02176. All welcome.
Rev. Dr. Dorothy May Emerson * November 20, 1943 – May 13, 2019
Rev. Dr. Dorothy Emerson was a semi-retired Unitarian Universalist minister. She and her spouse Donna co-founded Rainbow Solutions to promote socially responsible investing as an important tool for social change and to offer consulting services to support those who want their lifestyles and business practices, as well as their money, to reflect their core values. After Donna and associates have launched Rainbow Investment Solutions, the focus of Rainbow Solutions was on Dorothy’s ministry and publications.
A member of the UUWR core group that revised the bylaws in 2005, after her term Dorothy continued to be a mentor and advisor, and a frequent presence at the UUW&R booth at General Assembly.
Dorothy gave public lectures and led workshops and worship services. She also performed weddings, funerals and memorial services, child dedications, and a variety of other special rituals. She specialized in interfaith ceremonies, personally designed to suit your needs and reflect your values.
Dorothy has edited and published feature articles and books. She also helped create programs to help adults grow spiritually and gain insight into ways to implement their values in daily life.
In addition to her ministry, Dorothy was active in UU and community organizations:
Jane Britton (1945-2019)
Jane Britton passed away March 21, 2019 from lung cancer. At left is a picture of Gretchen O, Jane and Barbara S at the Asilomar international women's conference. Jane was a very loyal supporter of UUWR and a regular participant in District retreats as well as a close associate of Rosemary Matson and Meg Bowman. She was a member of the UU Church of Monterey for decades.
Elizabeth Fisher says of Jane, She was a jolly sort and well-liked by many. She took a lot of fabulous candid portraits of the church and activist community members and shared them with Rosemary, especially in her later years when Rosemary was not out and about as much. She read a lot. When she was in town between her travels to foreign places we often saw her at the Library, searching for new facts and entertaining fiction. We also would run into her walking along the Monterey Bay. She enjoyed local restaurants, always ready to recommend an overlooked gem. We will miss her.
Jane Britton
Sept. 12, 1945 - March 21, 2019 Pacific Grove
Support HEResies UU Women's Archive at Meadville-Lombard
For centuries, Unitarian Universalist historical memory and archival norms erased and defaced the perspectives and experiences of women. Even though women are now the majority of religious professionals, this sea change in demographics has yet to meaningfully impact the historical record. The moment we find ourselves in now is the perfect opportunity to acquire, process, and make accessible the archival materials that document the stories and experiences of women in the 20th century. As that generation of trailblazers retires and their experiences pass from living memory, we must now begin the work of remembering and celebrating their stories.
The Heresies Special Collection at Meadville Lombard is ready to do this work. Heresies is an archive dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of the women who have strengthened and grown Unitarianism, Universalism, and Unitarian Universalism. This special collection seeks to amend the ways in which archives often have marginalized women’s perspectives and stories. Heresies tells the story of Unitarian Universalist women leaders by preserving the personal papers and organizational records that speak to the experience of Unitarian Universalist women, including those who have historically been underrepresented within our movement, such as women of color; lesbian, bisexual, and queer women; trans women; and disabled women. We will tell this story on their terms.
The first major project undertaken by Heresies is to create over 10,000 digitized pages of archival material that will be accessible through the Meadville Lombard website and the Digital Public Library of America. Through this project, and based upon the high number of access session already tabulated, we estimate researchers from throughout the world will access roughly 2,000 digital objects within Heresies EACH YEAR. Additionally, the physical preservation and arrangement of these archival materials ensures that they will be physically accessible to researchers for decades into the future. During the buildup to this project, we have already received the personal papers of seven women religious leaders and are currently in conversation with an additional 25 women about their papers. We also have acquired the records of the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation and Unitarian Universalist Women & Religion.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation and the financial support of women who have already donated archival material, the Heresies Special Collection has raised $22,000 for this project. To do the justice-making work of saving as many stories and experiences as possible, we need your help. Meadville Lombard Theological School, the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation and Unitarian Universalist Women and Religion are asking for your support to raise at least an additional $8,000 for the Heresies project. This money will allow Meadville Lombard to preserve, physically arrange, and digitize the personal papers of women religious leaders and the organizational records of Unitarian Universalist women’s groups. Without your help, the risk is very real that future generations with either forget or, even worse, never even know about the women who changed Unitarian Universalism.
Heresies Special Collection is advised by a committee of Unitarian Universalist religious professionals, lay Unitarian Universalists, and other stakeholders who assist in acquiring archival materials, raising funds to support the collection, and strengthening the connection of Heresies to the larger community of Unitarian Universalist women. This collection tells your story and we would love to hear from you. If you are interested in donating documents that speak to the experience of UU women, please contact Meadville Lombard’s archivist at archives@meadville.edu.
Help us safeguard and celebrate the history of the women who have strengthened and grown Unitarianism, Universalism, and Unitarian Universalism. Your donation will allow Meadville Lombard to preserve, physically arrange, and digitize the personal papers of women religious leaders and the organizational records of Unitarian Universalist women’s groups. Without your help, the risk is very real that future generations will either forget or, even worse, never even know about the women who changed Unitarian Universalism. Thank you for your support!
DONATE NOW
Membership
We don’t really have memberships these days, though you can volunteer to work with the core group anytime.
We’re currently working on consolidating with UU Women’s Federation. When that is accomplished, UUW&R will likely be positioned as a program of UUWF rather than as an independent UU Related Organization. We’ve already partnered with UUWF on several projects, including a joint presence at General Assembly. Since UUW&R has really focused on networking among the remaining District UU women’s groups, keeping essential women’s spirituality materials available, and handling publication of the classic curricula and some books, that will likely remain our focus even after consolidation. UUWF structure and funding may help UUW&R do even more. We have a leadership curriculum in the works.
You might consider joining UU Women’s Federation. They are a membership organization and you can join for a donation of any amount: https://www.uuwf.org/donate-join
Revolution by Resolution booklet
Perfect for March 8 International Women's Day or August 26 Women's Equality Day!
A Sunday service script/ritual developed by UU Women and Religion -- Developed by Nuala Carpenter, Laurie James, Doddie Stone, Geri Kennedy and Helen Popenoe. Written by Dorothy Emerson. Songs by Carolyn McDade. There are discounts when you buy 10+ copies.
PERMISSION TO PERFORM CAROLYN'S SONGS: Permission letter Carolyn McDade
pdf Revolution by Resolution 2007 for e reader (4.62 MB) (honor system - we appreciate your $2 donation)
Watch the video of the service at General Assembly 2007.
