Participants of Harvard University Pluralism Project's
Women's Interfaith Initiative in the United States Post 911
Vision and Mission Statement
Vision Statement
SARAH envisions a world where women’s equality is fully realized to achieve a world that is equitable and honoring of all creation.
Mission Statement S.A.R.A.H., women of diverse cultures, faiths and beliefs, is committed to making a positive and meaningful difference in the world by advancing solutions that end all forms of violence disproportionately impacting women and girls.
To that end, our aim is to help women recognize self-awareness and personal agency through our programs and initiatives. We focus on cultural and systemic violence, and all of our practices promote circle principles which are rooted in our leading core values.
Through our programs and leadership alliances, we provide tools and skills to help and support women and girls through scholarship, education, mentoring, and a platform for their wisdom and voices to be heard.
Led by an Advisory Council and small volunteer staff, we listen carefully to our network of Sisters around the world. then respond respectfully with creative solutions through technology and in collaboration with others who share our vision.
Leading Core Values
Compassion | Collaboration | Hospitality | Care | Trust | Community |Generosity | Love
22 Years of Women with a Plan
Our Story
The morning of 911 I woke to the same image the world was seeing, and I heard "Gather Women". With no experience of being with circles of women, let alone lead them, I instinctively sensed that when women come together and discuss the suffering of our community, we will find solutions that consider all.
I did not know if I should send my kids to school that day. Then I wondered about Muslim mothers.
I did not know any Muslim women. I knew nothing about Islam, and very little about my Jewish tradition, but I could not imagine what it must feel like to be a Muslim mother that moment and I wanted to better understand and hear from them what was going on in the hearts of Muslims all around the world.
Central to all we do are women and girls, and what impacts us disproportionately, as well as the power we hold in our womb.
Over the past 18 years we have provided countless initiatives, community gathers, university panels and shown up for our community spontaneously or with well structured programs. All of our programs have a few conditions that we insist on:
1. They address the deep root of patriarchy and systems of domination.
2. They are co-created in shared leadership.
3. They are fun and dynamic, and stretch the boundaries so as to impact change.
4. Agreements for Care and Caregiving to all in the creative and production process is held in a sacred manner to insure all are heard, and held in respect. This includes Circle Principles and Sacred Economy.
5. We are careful that our work does not water down another's and is considerate that we are contributing to an ecosystem of our interdependence and in
At the core of all we do and the sacred nature this organization has been held translates to not only interfaith understanding and community building but global initiatives that improve conditions and advance solutions so women and girls and men and boys thrive in a world that works for everyone.
Thank you for taking the time to look around. You are here because you are curious and curiosity is the threshold to new understandings and new solutions to old problems!
Sande
Prepared presentation for the United Religions Initiative Women's Interfaith Cooperation Circle and
serves as a look at SARAH over 19 years.
We stand on the shoulders of the women who have come before us who fought, struggled, and endangered their lives so that we could realize their dreams. Dorothy Day is one of those women and Suffragist whose poem inspires us to do the work we do in the world...
Sande Hart Receiving the OC Human Relations Commissions Award in 2005 and Why S.A.R.A.H. was relevant then.
"May God continue to shine down His blessings upon you. May His grace always abound in your life - and show itself sufficient for whatever comes your way. May His best be yours."
Pastor L J Saunders, CEO, RMW Ministries
"My daughter and myself so much enjoyed taking part in the Peace Tapestry at the S.A.R.A.H. booth and the love and caring of its volunteers at the 2004 The Joyful Child's Festival (memory of Samantha Runnion). It was our favorite. Thank you!"
“I love your site. It is so informational. As I find time in our busy life, I go to your site and read different sections. This time your calandar of events and Karen's book selections attracted me. What an excellent Idea to understand each other through our books. This and only this can eliminate the prejudice and get us closer and closer to each other. Thank you Karen.
Much love, Floria (SARAH Sister)"
