Interfaith feminists challenge discrimination in religion on National Women’s Equality Day, August

 Interfaith feminists challenge discrimination in religion on

National Women’s Equality Day, August 26, 2013

Washington, DC – Women of faith will mark National Women’s Equality Day on Monday, August 26, by joining together in a nation-wide, interfaith fast for gender justice and the equality of women in their faith communities. The day-long fast will culminate in an interfaith prayer service from 6:30-7:30 PM at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, a congregation noted for its long-standing support of civil and religious equality.

Featured representatives will include

• Lorie Winder, representing Ordain Women, which advocates for the ordination of women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon);
• Erin Saiz Hanna, executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, which works for the equality of women in the Roman Catholic tradition;
• Rabbi Tamara Miller, representing Washington friends of the Women of the Wall, which advocates for the right of Jewish women to wear prayer shawls, pray, and read from the Torah collectively and out loud at the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem; and
• Carol Schmidt, president of Ordain Women Now, which works to promote an open discussion within the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod about the ordination of women.

Those who cannot attend the service are encouraged to fast and participate virtually through Equal in Faith’s Facebook event page.

"While women have access to spiritual authority in a growing number of religions, far too many women are still being denied equal participation and leadership in their faith traditions," stated Erin Saiz Hanna. "As sisters in the struggle, we understand one another’s pain and longing for justice. This day of prayer and fasting will give us the opportunity to stand in solidarity with one another and to speak out against the patriarchal institutions that purposefully exclude our voices and wisdom." 

"Equality shouldn’t stop at the doors of our churches, synagogues or mosques," asserted Lorie Winder. "We refuse to tolerate discrimination against women in our secular institutions.  Why, then, do we accept it in our religious institutions?  Since religion significantly impacts the broader culture, the marginalization of women in our faith communities affects all of us."

In solidarity with the DC event, there will also be an Equal in Faith regional prayer service in Salt Lake City on August 26, from 7:00-8:30 PM at the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, 211 West 100 South. For more information on this event contact Margaret Toscano at 801-581-4768.