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Women’s History Month Conversations: Belonging

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Women’s History Month Conversations: Belonging

March 3 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST

Women’s History Month Conversations: Belonging 

This year’s ABWM mission focus is “Belonging”. God said that “we are all equally made in the divine perfect image” (Genesis 1:26-28) and we are ALL deeply loved by God. Therefore, the message of belonging emphasizes that everyone is invited into God’s family, regardless of their background or circumstances. Faith communities are called to be places of radical hospitality and inclusion, where all people find acceptance, healing, and purpose. In this mission, we affirm that no one is ever truly alone—everyone belongs in God’s eyes, and we are called to reflect that truth in how we love and serve one another. As we all belong to God, we belong together.

 

This Women’s History Month focuses on how we can empower women to belong not only to various spaces, fields, and communities but also to themselves. This webinar series features women who have made strides that inspire the belonging of women in different capacities. Our first speaker is Jayme Earhart, the founder of Elevate Consulting Group, a business-to-business accounting firm specializing in QuickBooks Online and consulting services; she launched with no prior accounting experience but is thriving because of her passion for helping to simplify accounting so everybody can make informed financial decisions. The second speaker is Reverend Ryan Lindsay Arrendell, an Emmy-award-winning journalist, preacher, writer, and entrepreneur who leads with love to connect with those around her and is dedicated to consulting and educating clergy and congregations about Abortion Justice, Access, & Dignity to ensure all women belong.

Join us every Monday this March at 12 pm EST to learn more about our wonderful speakers and discuss the theme of belonging in our world.

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Missed a session? You can download previous sessions here:
Password: 47sp1jQc4EjO
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Monday March 3, 2025, 12 PM EST Jayme Earhart, founder of Elevate Consulting Group

Jayme Earhart is the founder of Elevate Consulting Group (www.elevatecg.us), a business-to-business accounting firm specializing in QuickBooks Online and consulting services. With no prior accounting experience, Jayme launched Elevate in 2018 at the age of 21 and has since built a thriving firm dedicated to helping businesses streamline their financial processes and achieve growth. Today, Jayme leads Elevate with a passion for innovation and efficiency, helping businesses simplify their accounting and make informed financial decisions.

Monday March 10, 2025, 12 PM EST Reverend Ryan Lindsay Arrendell, Emmy-award-winning journalist, preacher, writer, and entrepreneur

Rev. Ryan Lindsay Arrendell is an Emmy-award winning journalist, preacher, writer, and entrepreneur. She believes in storytelling & deep listening as powerful tools for healing & change. Whether she’s in the pulpit, the streets, the classroom or on the stage, Rev. Ryan leads with love to connect with those around her.Rev. Ryan specializes in consulting & educating clergy and congregations about Abortion Justice, Access & Dignity. Her research explores how Christian women have navigated their abortion experiences, with the goal of creating a pastoral care guide, spiritual care guide & curriculum. Her forthcoming autobiographical collection of poetry & prose, Mine The Unseen, engages abortion as a pathway to healing while navigating the reality of choosing to have an abortion as a Black, Christian, woman in America.

A graduate of Yale Divinity School, Rev. Ryan serves at Double Love Experience Church in Brooklyn, NY under the leadership of Rev. Drs. Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes & Andrew Wilkes. She answered her call to ministry in May 2019 while working as a journalist for an NPR affiliate station in Hartford, CT. Originally from Washington D.C., Rev. Ryan Lindsay preached her first sermon as a teenager during a Youth Sunday service at Zion Baptist Church.

An accomplished entrepreneur, Min. Ryan Lindsay’s brand GLOSSRAGS gained notoriety for The And Counting Collection, a series of apparel that memorialized Black folk slain by police & anti-Black citizens. The collection, which debuted in April 2014, featured over 30 sisters & brothers, was laid to rest in 2018. ESSENCE, Fast Company, The Fader, Complex & other outlets have all covered GLOSSRAGS.

Rev. Ryan is a contributor to The Christian Citizen, a publication at the intersection of faith, politics, discipleship & citizenship that covers current events & contemporary issues.

Monday March 17, 2025 12 PM EST Alison Kling, CEO of Free 2 Teach

Alison Kling is the CEO of Free 2 Teach and is passionate about equipping public school children, classrooms, and educators with supplies and resources. Alison started her career in education as an elementary school teacher in New York City Public Schools with Teach for America. In addition to her undergraduate work, she holds a Master’s in Education (M.S.) from Hunter College and a Master’s of Divinity (M.Div.) from Princeton Theological Seminary as well as a certificate in Forced Migration Studies from Oxford University. She and her husband, David, live in Huntsville with their four children, George, Teddy, Jack and Lucy.

Monday March 24, 2025 12 PM EST Starlette Thomas, Director of The Raceless Gospel Initiative

The Reverend Dr. Starlette Thomas is the director of The Raceless Gospel Initiative, named for her work and witness and an associate editor at Good Faith Media. Her writings have been featured in Sojourners, Red Letter Christians, Free Black Thought, Word & Way, Plough and Nurturing Faith Journal among others. She is a frequent guest on podcasts and hosts her own, The Raceless Gospel podcast, which takes her listeners to a virtual church service where she and her guests tackle that taboo trinity— race, religion and politics. A womanist in ministry, she has served as both a pastor and denominational leader. An unrepentant academician and bibliophile, Starlette is a graduate of Buffalo State College (B.A., English), Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (M.Div.) and Wesley Theological Seminary (D. Min.). Starlette is the author of “Take Me to the Water”: The Raceless Gospel as Baptismal Pedagogy for a Desegregated Church and a contributing author of the book Faith Forward: A Dialogue on Children, Youth & a New Kind of Christianity.

Monday March 31, 2025 12 PM EST Christie Hackley, Registered Dietitian

Christie Hackley is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Wellness. Working in a variety of clinical settings, she quickly realized the importance of healing one’s relationship with food and grew a passion for intuitive eating. As a registered yoga teacher, her approach to health and wellness goes beyond the plate, to explore what our minds and bodies need to live well. Hackley loves teaching and helping people improve their quality of life.  She focuses on helping others optimize their health by meeting them wherever they are in their intuitive eating journey.  She also enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants and spending time with her family.


Click here to register!

Details

Date:
March 3
Time:
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST
Website:
https://abwomensministries.org/

Venue

Zoom Event
United States
View Venue Website

Organizer

American Baptist Women’s Ministries
Phone
(610) 768-2288
Email
info@abwomensministries.org
View Organizer Website
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Karla Rivera Avilés, Director of Programs at American Baptist Women’s Ministries, smiling joyfully and showcasing faith-led leadership for women and girls.

Karla Rivera Avilés
Director of Programs

Karla Rivera Avilés serves as Director of Programs for American Baptist Women’s Ministries. A devoted Puerto Rican attorney with 18 years of experience, she has centered her career on advocating for survivors of domestic violence and sexual aggression. Her work reflects a strong commitment to justice, faith, and community service. Karla brings valuable experience from ecumenical work in Puerto Rico and Peru, particularly in championing the rights of women and children. At ABWM, she is dedicated to creating programs that empower women and girls to thrive through faith and courage.

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Erin Davis Marketing & Communications Director

Erin Davis began her journey at ABWM as a social media ambassador and now serves as the Marketing and Communications Director. With over 15 years of experience in the marketing industry, Erin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her work at ABWM focuses on developing effective communication strategies, enhancing the organization’s visibility, and engaging with the community through innovative marketing efforts.

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Rev. Dr. Christine Smith of American Baptist Women’s Ministries, wearing pearls and smiling, symbolizing Christian leadership, wisdom, and women’s empowerment through faith.

Rev. Dr. Christine Smith
Associate Executive Director

Rev. Dr. Christine A. Smith begins as Director of the Rudd Empowerment Center in October 2024, bringing extensive experience in leadership development, ministry, and advocacy. Rev. Dr. Smith is passionate about empowering women in ministry and providing them with the tools and resources to excel in their calling. Her leadership at the Rudd Empowerment Center focuses on advancing education, mentorship, and advocacy initiatives that support women both within and beyond the faith community. Committed to ABWM’s mission, she works to elevate the voices of women and girls globally, fostering an environment where their leadership can thrive.

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Rev. Armstrong, Executive Director of American Baptist Women’s Ministries, representing visionary leadership and faith-based empowerment for women and girls.

Rev. LaThelma Armstrong
Executive Director

Reverend LT Armstrong began as Executive Director of ABWM in July 2024, bringing a breath of experience to the role. Rev. LT Armstrong is dedicated to the spiritual, educational, and social growth of women and children, particularly girls. Her leadership focuses on innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and fostering a community where women and children can thrive. She is committed to advancing ABWM’s mission, ensuring that every woman and child is empowered through faith to advance beyond any obstacles or barriers they face.

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Rev. Dr. Cassandra Foster, Outreach Coordinator at American Baptist Women’s Ministries, modeling strength, service, and Christian leadership.

Rev. Dr. Cassandra Foster
Outreach Coordinator

Dr. Cassandra Foster began her journey at ABWM in 2022 as a content creator. In her new role as Outreach Coordinator, she brings her expertise and passion for connecting with and empowering communities. Reverend Cassandra focuses on building outreach strategies, representing ABWM at various conferences, and engaging women and girls in the organization’s mission. Her work ensures that every woman and child can connect, grow, thrive, and find a sense of belonging within the ABWM community. We invite you to connect with Reverend Cassandra to learn more about ABWM’s initiatives and explore ways to get involved. She is eager to engage with and support our community.

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Lianne Quaynor — Program Coordinator

Lianne Quaynor
Program Coordinator

Lianne Quaynor began as our Program Coordinator in October 2024 focused on developing and coordinating programming to promote human rights, women’s empowerment and faith based advocacy at American Baptist Women’s Ministries. She brings experience working on global issues regarding women and girls rights and human rights for various non-profits and international organizations as well as with youth ministry in making spaces of faith more inclusive and intergenerational. She is passionate about education, volunteering, and social justice but most importantly being able to empower, elevate and equip women and girls to be leaders in making their dreams and aspirations a reality and the world a better place.