Visionary Women is an intergenerational program engaging issues at the intersection of religion, gender, race, and social justice concerns. We at Interfaith Philadelphia have an expansive understanding of gender, welcoming all women as well as gender nonbinary individuals. As we move to create a virtual group that is culturally, religiously, and ideologically diverse - we encourage participation in this experiential dialogue. Participants do not need to identify with a religious tradition or be a member of a congregation to apply.
Since its conception in 2016, Visionary Women sessions offer immersion in five religious settings and facilitate the creation of meaningful relationships in a small group environment. As last year was the first year Visionary Women was offered solely online, we embrace its challenges and its opportunities. We welcome the different ways that joining from home looks, welcoming children in the background & scenic Zoom backdrops. Participants of Visionary Women are encouraged to continue their interfaith learning, collaboration and offer programs within their own communities.
This year, Visionary Women will be offered in both an in-person and an online format. You will be asked to indicate which format you would like to participate in at the time of application. Please note that proof of vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for in-person participation.
We invite participants with significant prior experience in interfaith engagement to consider joining the Applied Leadership Track! This track will provide a deeper dive into specific areas of program content and will consist of a small group designated for participants who are interested in applying their learning from Visionary Women to a specific context. It would meet as part of the schedule of Visionary Women. The intended application might be to a specific group, workplace, or even to future leadership of programs such as Visionary Women.
If you are interested in joining the Applied Leadership Track, please email Dominique Farray df@interfaithphiladelphia.org) and Nzinga Aziz (na@interfaithphiladelphia.org) with a few sentences about your prior experience and intended application of this learning.
2022 Key Program Dates
Five sessions over the course of five months, from 2:00-5:00pm on Sunday afternoons
*Please note that each participant is placed in a small dialogue group of diverse participants which will meet at every session. Therefore, attendance is essential to ensure that small groups can form meaningful relationships and participate in dialogue. Applicants should have only one known date conflict with the program.
Sunday, February 27 | Session #1: Program Introduction & Buddhist Community
Won Institute of Graduate Studies
Sunday, March 27 | Session #2: Muslim Community
Masjidullah
Sunday, April 24 | Session #3: Hindu Community
Hindu American Foundation
Sunday, May 22 | Session #4: Jewish Community
Temple Beth Zion Beth Israel
Sunday, June 26 | Session #5: Christian Community
Arch Street Presbyterian Church
Individuals in this program seek to:
-
Lean into layered, and sometimes uncomfortable, conversations that explore the intersections of gender and race in different faith communities;
-
Increase their religious literacy through virtual visits to different faith communities in the Greater Philadelphia area;
-
Develop a deeper understanding of their own personal identity/tradition; and
-
Feel empowered by learning with social justice advocates of all experience levels.
Session Outline
-
Introduction to sacred space or gathering place
-
Paired Conversation
-
Panel of diverse voices of leadership from the featured faith community
-
Dialogue in small groups
-
Closing
Meet our Facilitators!
(Click their photos to learn more!)
This project is made possible through a grant from Women of Vision, The Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.
