Women

First woman installed as senior minister of Presbyterian congregation

The Rev. Huong Dang, best known as “Cedar,” was installed this past Sunday as pastor of the Vietnamese Presbyterian Church (VPC) in Garden Grove, California. She is the first woman to be installed as senior minister of a Vietnamese-language congregation in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

UN Commission on the Status of Women offers solutions to issues affecting Detroit

Troy Byrdsong and Alison Oglesby are two young women with big dreams and big hearts. The freshman and junior attend Wayne State University and are attending the United Nations 61st Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) as a part of the 12-person delegation of the Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Hidden sexism in a progressive denomination

In a room filled with women from around the world, participants attending the opening of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s parallel event at the 61st Commission on the Status of Women waited expectantly to hear what presenters had to say about gender discrimination within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Presbyterian Center celebrates the gifts of women

Communities around the world have joined together today to celebrate International Women’s Day. In keeping with the celebration, individuals at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Center came together for a special service to “Celebrate the Gifts of Women.”

Intergenerational Valentine’s Day event celebrates women’s friendships

The last thing that Laura Raffle wants to do on Valentine’s Day is have dinner out at a crowded restaurant. “Although we of course recognize the holiday, I find Valentine’s Day to be a bit overrated in terms of romantic love,” says Raffle, a member of the 1,300-member First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in historic downtown Charleston, S.C. “What I really love is the fact that it’s a fun day for my kids to get a special treat and to make Valentine’s Day cards, especially my four-year-old daughter, who is just learning how to write. For me it’s all about showing my love

Advocacy committees voice concerns over proposed PMA Board representation

In a letter issued today by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns (ACWC) and the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC), the groups challenged a recent proposal by the Governance Task Force (GTF) of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board (PMAB) to dramatically reduce the board size and remove formal representation in advocacy groups.

Real life ‘Hidden Figures’ mathematician is longtime Presbyterian

“Hidden Figures”—the movie about a group of brilliant female African-American mathematicians that aided NASA during the space race—took the second spot at the box office in its first weekend of wide release, narrowly bested by “Star Wars: Rogue One.” The movie features the story of Katherine G. Johnson, a longtime Presbyterian and 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom awardee.

Training Leaders for Community Transformation in Niger

Niger has consistently ranked at the bottom of the United Nations Human Development Index. Indicators that reflect that ranking include the following: • Only 40 percent of men and 20 percent of women are literate. • There is one doctor for every 50,000 people. • One in seven women dies in childbirth. • 40 percent of children under age five are malnourished. • 20 percent of children die before their fifth birthday. • Up to 90 percent of the population is involved in subsistence agriculture.

A letter from Sandi Thompson-Royer serving in Guatemala

In December our son Noah was visiting for Christmas. He and Brian held a belated surprise birthday party for me. Over 25 people gathered in our home. Half were our Presbyterian sisters and brothers and half were new friends from our Xela community. I was overwhelmed with the love they shared with me. This is what happens when one chooses to walk with people and take the time to listen to their stories.