We are commemorating our HERstories, our achievements, and the ambitions of the UUWF.

The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation has always upheld and extended the tenets of Unitarian Universalism as we’ve safeguarded the sensitivity, vision, and pioneering spirit of women in our faith community.

Our archival footprints document our desire to serve the social and spiritual needs of people through fellowship, group expression, and programs of education, service, and action. We strive to create an appreciation for the joy of life and an understanding of its deeper meaning. It has always been our wish to join wholeheartedly with people everywhere in striving for universal human dignity, freedom, and peace. With that, we have historically been the voice for women as an affiliate of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

With our 60th anniversary nearing, the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation will be taking this time to commemorate the HERstories of our past, the achievements of the present, and our ambitions for the future. In efforts to diversify and expand the reach of the UUWF, this anniversary offers us an opportunity to build a more dynamic and inclusive membership base. We are excited to elevate our history while also centering and sharing the diverse stories and experiences of UU women and femmes, trans and cis, young and the not-as-young. We understand that we can learn from each other no matter where we are on our activist journeys.

One of the ways that we are choosing to embody more inclusive practices is by no longer requiring payment. We continue to deeply appreciate those who are able to share their financial resources, and we also recognize that people contribute in many ways beyond money.

We welcome you to pay as you can. Just as importantly, we hope you join us in building covenantal relationships among Unitarian Universalist women that equip us all to be better co-conspirators and allies in the movement for collective liberation.

Today, The Supreme Court robbed us of our bodily autonomy, our right to privacy, and our right to comprehensive reproductive care in the United States of America. The overturning of Roe V Wade via Dobbs v Jackson was expected, but that makes it no less awful.   
 
The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation intends to help our community connect to ongoing activism to restore our rights. We encourage you to consider focusing your action at state-level work, as this fight is going to play out state by state. We will continue to provide resources for you to connect with groups in your local area as we can. We anticipate powerful opportunities to partner with groups on the ground both within and beyond our UU community in the coming months.  

This is a dark day.  We will kindle light.

To stay connected as this new phase of reproductive justice unfolds, sign up on our website.

The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation (UUWF) wholeheartedly and unequivocally supports anti-racism as central to our spiritual practice and our faith. We believe that Unitarian Universalism calls us to actively confront racism and white supremacy in our communities, institutions, and congregations. As such, we support the adoption of the Eighth Principle: “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse and multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”

Furthermore, the UUWF rejects the resistance to anti-racism that is alive within our faith community. This counter-movement threatens our ability to fully realize all of the principles of Unitarian Universalism. For without anti-racism, we cannot claim to affirm and uphold the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Without anti-racism, we cannot promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. Without anti-racism, we cannot accept one another and encourage spiritual growth in our congregations. Without anti-racism, we cannot create a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. Without anti-racism, we cannot pursue a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Without anti-racism, we cannot uphold the right of conscience and the use of democratic process in our congregations and society at large. Without anti-racism, we cannot respect the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Without anti-racism, we cannot be true to the tenets of our faith tradition.

At the 2022 General Assembly, delegates will vote on candidates for seats on the UUA Board of Directors. Two of these seats are contested by candidates who chose to forgo the UUA Nominating Committee Process and instead run by petition. Both of these candidates have publicly stated their direct opposition to the UUA administration and Board’s commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression work—work that has the overwhelming support of groups and individuals across our faith, as reflected by 2021 GA Delegates in their vote on the Statement of Conscience “Undoing Systemic White Supremacy: A Call to Prophetic Action.”

The UUWF enthusiastically endorses the slate of candidates put forth by the UUA Nominating Committee and, in particular, we endorse the contested candidates Reverend Justine Sullivan and Reverend Suzanne Fast, both proven UU leaders who have demonstrated deep commitment to our faith and the necessary work of anti-racism. We call on all GA delegates to join us in supporting these candidates and embracing our call to the critical work of racial healing and justice.

Title XI is the most commonly used name for the federal civil rights law in the United States of America that was passed as part (Title IX) of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government.  

"No person in the United States shall, based on sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Though Title IX is widely understood to address gender discrimination in sport, the law applies to any education program.  

The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, and calls for the fulfillment of its promise for women and girls at every level of education.  An in-depth look at gender inequality by USA Today illustrates the work that remains.

We must resist attempts to violate Title IX by excluding trans women and girls from school sports.  We underscore the need for girls, women, femme-identifying people, and gender expansive folks–particularly those of color– to be seen, welcomed, and supported in education, be it sport or STEM. We call on educational institutions to protect the rights of women (whether trans or not), girls (whether trans or not), and gender expansive people.  

This curriculum is a sequel to Cakes for the Queen of Heaven and Rise Up and Call Her Name.  The purpose is to teach about women, both cis and trans, and non-binary and genderqueer people who dared to dream of a better way, who devised a method or pathway that would support needed change, and who – through their actions – contributed to the betterment of our society. The curriculum also includes anti-racist activities intended to engage people in ways to dismantle systemic racism. This curriculum can be downloaded at no cost here.

The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation is outraged that the United States Supreme Court is poised to set aside Roe v. Wade. We endorse our denominational leadership at Side With Love, who state: “Our Unitarian Universalist faith affirms that all of our bodies are sacred, and that we are each endowed with the twin gifts of agency and conscience. Each of us should have the power to decide what does and doesn’t happen to our bodies at every moment of our lives because consent and bodily autonomy are holy. And when disparities in resources or freedoms make it more difficult for certain groups of people to exercise autonomy over their own bodies, our faith compels us to take liberatory action.”

Roe has been a cornerstone of American law that has protected the rights of women for fifty years. A pregnant person’s right to make their own reproductive choices is a basic human freedom protected by the Bill of Rights, notwithstanding the absence of specific references to abortion in the text. This was decided by the court in Roe fifty years ago.

The draft opinion penned by Justice Alito claims that Roe and its progeny, Casey, were wrongly decided by the judges that decided them. The impact of the court’s action will not only cause unjust and irreparable harm to millions of women—the overwhelming majority of whom are black, brown, and low-income—but will endanger other existing American jurisprudence that protects constitutionally guaranteed civil and human rights.

The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation stands firmly beside those who are tirelessly working to defend reproductive freedom. We call on Congress and President Biden to move swiftly to codify Roe into law. We urge state governments to ensure uninterrupted access to comprehensive reproductive health care for women, including abortion services. We call on the majority of Americans who support reproductive justice and abortion access to join Election Protection efforts in their communities, and vote, vote, vote.  

For more information on how to get involved in reproductive justice:

• Side With Love
• SisterSong
• Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
• Re-Ad-Just Coalition
• National Network of Abortion Funds

For more information on Election Protection and Get Out the Vote:  

• UU The Vote
• Common Cause
• States United Democracy Center
• Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
• Election Protection

UUWF is hiring a fulltime grassroots organizer to organize and help manage and implement existing and new justice advocacy programs. We’re seeking women, femme-identifying, or gender expansive people (UU or not) who have experiences, expertise, and/or passion about building power for women and girls. For more information, click here.

The Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation strongly opposes the new limitations upheld in the Texas legal system. This law bans abortion after 6 weeks, even in the case of rape or incest, and offers a $10,000 bounty to private citizens who sue anyone who has, performs, or "aids and abets" an abortion after 6 weeks. For more details on this egregiously unconstitutional law, see this NPR article. To learn more about attacks on reproductive justice and women's health across the country, visit the Planned Parenthood website.

We urge Unitarian Universalists of all gender expressions to be part of efforts to challenge this law and ensure that safe abortions remain available. You can give your time and money at local clinics, or get give to national advocacy groups working to protect reproductive justice. A few resources:

• Pro-Choice Public Education Project
  
• National Network of Abortion Funds 
  
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund 
  
• Watch a video that explains the impact of legislation that limits access. Share it with friends or congregations
  

The 2021 UU Women's Breakfast was held virtually on Wednesday, June 23rd, just as GA was opening. Watch the video here. Highlights include an introduction to recent Clara Barton honorees, information about the newly formed Elandria Williams Leadership Circle, and an interview with Rev. Qiyamah Rahman about her work collecting stories of Black UU Women.

This year's UUWF Annual Breakfast will be held virtually on Wednesday, June 23rd from 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. Central time. The program will include:

• Rev. Dr. Qiyamah A. Rahman discussing her research on the voices and stories of Black Unitarian Universalist women.
• Interviews with members of the Clara Barton Sisterhood, women aged 80 and over who have been honored for their contributions to their congregations and communities.
• Delicious table topics and small group discussion.
• And much more!

Register now!