MUUSAN and UUs in the News
May 21, 2021
Maine Public Radio includes an excerpt of MUUSAN Testimony by Faith Woodman about LD 1708, the consumer-owned utility bill.
Listen Here
Maine Public Radio includes an excerpt of MUUSAN Testimony by Faith Woodman about LD 1708, the consumer-owned utility bill.
Listen Here
May 3, 2021
A letter of UU support for LD 1417, Corporate Contribution Ban, published in the Forecaster
Read the Letter Here.
A letter of UU support for LD 1417, Corporate Contribution Ban, published in the Forecaster
Read the Letter Here.
November 21, 2019
A letter from Jane Makela, chair of the Racial, Native, and Immigrant Justice Issue Group, is published in the Portland paper.
Read the Letter Here.
A letter from Jane Makela, chair of the Racial, Native, and Immigrant Justice Issue Group, is published in the Portland paper.
Read the Letter Here.
June 10, 2019
MUUSAN Co-Chair Julia Fitz-Randolph at the State House.
MUUSAN Co-Chair Julia Fitz-Randolph at the State House.
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MUUSAN co-chair Julia Fitz-Randolph in conversation with Rep. Pinny Beebe-Center at the State House about LD 1083 to expand Maine's Ranked Choice Voting by including the Presidential primary and general elections in 2020.
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March 14, 2019
MUUSAN Climate Change Co-Chair Jill Linzee Hosts Community Meeting
MUUSAN Climate Change Co-Chair Jill Linzee Hosts Community Meeting
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Jill Linzee, co chair of MUUSAN's Climate Change Issue Group, organized a community meeting at the YMCA in Damariscotta on March 14th. Community members met with Senator Dana Dow and learned more about a Bill to Expand Solar Energy in Maine. They also had the opportunity to personally express their feelings on the importance of this bill passing and to thank him for his sponsorship of the bill.
Representatives from the Natural Resources Council of Maine, ReVision Energy and the Solar Energy Association of Maine were on hand to help answer questions. |
June 12, 2017
MUUSAN Climate Change Co-Chair Mary Ann Larson Honored
Mary Ann Larson, devoted leader of MUUSAN's Climate Change Issue
Group, has been honored by her congregation, First Parish in Portland
Unitarian Universalist, with the First Parish Distinguished Service Award.
“The congregation wishes to honor the selfless contributions of members
who have dedicated themselves to putting their faith and service into action
in the larger community.” Mary Ann's relentless efforts on behalf of earth
justice and the slowing of climate change through leading this MUUSAN
Issue Group are part of her work recognized by this award. We are so
grateful for Mary Ann's statewide leadership of Unitarian Universalists on
climate change.
Mary Ann's name will be engraved on a large silver bowl, along with others
that have won this award. The bowl is prominently displayed within a glass
case at the historic downtown church at Congress and Temple Streets in
Portland. Thank you, Mary Ann!
MUUSAN Climate Change Co-Chair Mary Ann Larson Honored
Mary Ann Larson, devoted leader of MUUSAN's Climate Change Issue
Group, has been honored by her congregation, First Parish in Portland
Unitarian Universalist, with the First Parish Distinguished Service Award.
“The congregation wishes to honor the selfless contributions of members
who have dedicated themselves to putting their faith and service into action
in the larger community.” Mary Ann's relentless efforts on behalf of earth
justice and the slowing of climate change through leading this MUUSAN
Issue Group are part of her work recognized by this award. We are so
grateful for Mary Ann's statewide leadership of Unitarian Universalists on
climate change.
Mary Ann's name will be engraved on a large silver bowl, along with others
that have won this award. The bowl is prominently displayed within a glass
case at the historic downtown church at Congress and Temple Streets in
Portland. Thank you, Mary Ann!
May 17-18, 2017
MUUSAN Actively Opposes DHHS Section 1115 Waiver Application to Remove Healthcare Access for Thousands More Low-Income Mainers
MUUSAN joined with its partners, the Maine Council of Churches, Maine Equal Justice Partners, and many other organizations and individuals in staunch opposition to this waiver application from the Department of Health and Human Services to the federal government. The waiver would allow DHHS to institute policies directly aimed at blocking access to MaineCare for many low-income Mainers who now have healthcare.
MUUSAN's Legislative Specialist Dale McCormick authored an eloquent op-ed: "Maine Compass: The Moral Case for MaineCare," published by the Kennebec Journal May 17, 2017.
DHHS held two hearings, one at Portland's Cross Insurance Center and the other at the Augusta Civic Center, where Unitarian Universalists participated in prayer vigils, protested, and testified in opposition to this proposed application.
Portland hearing May 17:
MUUSAN Actively Opposes DHHS Section 1115 Waiver Application to Remove Healthcare Access for Thousands More Low-Income Mainers
MUUSAN joined with its partners, the Maine Council of Churches, Maine Equal Justice Partners, and many other organizations and individuals in staunch opposition to this waiver application from the Department of Health and Human Services to the federal government. The waiver would allow DHHS to institute policies directly aimed at blocking access to MaineCare for many low-income Mainers who now have healthcare.
MUUSAN's Legislative Specialist Dale McCormick authored an eloquent op-ed: "Maine Compass: The Moral Case for MaineCare," published by the Kennebec Journal May 17, 2017.
DHHS held two hearings, one at Portland's Cross Insurance Center and the other at the Augusta Civic Center, where Unitarian Universalists participated in prayer vigils, protested, and testified in opposition to this proposed application.
Portland hearing May 17:
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Thank you to Rev. Fayre Stephenson of the First Universalist Church of Norway for your presence with clergy. In the crowd, note the yellow Standing on the Side of Love T-shirts worn by several UUs. Thank you to Joan Beal, Jan Cardoza, Dorothy Raymond, and Kerry Read of the First Universalist Church of Norway; Mary Ann Larson, Larry Larson and Angus Ferguson of First Parish Portland UU; Cush Anthony of Allen Avenue UU, Portland; Sue Kennedy of the UU Church of Brunswick; and all other UUs and fellow people of faith who turned out to protest this reprehensible move by DHHS.
Augusta hearing May 18:
Rev. Pam Gross, MUUSAN Steering Committee, Health Care Issue Group Co-Chair (far right), leads prayer vigil. (Jeanne Curran photos)
Augusta hearing May 18:
Rev. Pam Gross, MUUSAN Steering Committee, Health Care Issue Group Co-Chair (far right), leads prayer vigil. (Jeanne Curran photos)
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May 13, 2017
Tom Andrews, UUSC President/CEO, Keynotes MUUSAN Spring Conference
A warm "Welcome Home!" greeted former First District Congressman Tom Andrews, now President and CEO of the UU Service Committee, as he joined MUUSAN for a day of strategizing about social justice on Saturday, May 13. His inspirational keynote remarks were entitled "Let's Make Waves!"
43 UUs from thirteen Maine Unitarian Universalist congregations attended the conference held at the UU Community Church of Augusta. Opening worship was led by Rev. Drew Moeller and Suzanne Kelley of the UU Society of Bangor.
Our Issue Groups, Democracy in Action, Health Care for All, and Climate Change, now include a fourth group for Immigrant and Racial Justice. All groups met to discuss pending legislation in their areas to guide the Steering Committee in its endorsements. (continued below slide show)
Tom Andrews, UUSC President/CEO, Keynotes MUUSAN Spring Conference
A warm "Welcome Home!" greeted former First District Congressman Tom Andrews, now President and CEO of the UU Service Committee, as he joined MUUSAN for a day of strategizing about social justice on Saturday, May 13. His inspirational keynote remarks were entitled "Let's Make Waves!"
43 UUs from thirteen Maine Unitarian Universalist congregations attended the conference held at the UU Community Church of Augusta. Opening worship was led by Rev. Drew Moeller and Suzanne Kelley of the UU Society of Bangor.
Our Issue Groups, Democracy in Action, Health Care for All, and Climate Change, now include a fourth group for Immigrant and Racial Justice. All groups met to discuss pending legislation in their areas to guide the Steering Committee in its endorsements. (continued below slide show)
We enjoyed a delicious lunch of homemade soups, salads, breads and desserts provided by Steering Committee members, and were, as always, warmly welcomed and assisted by our host congregation, the UU Community Church of Augusta.
In our Annual Meeting, led by Co-Chairs Trudy Ferland and Julia Fitz-Randolph, the slate of Steering Committee members for 2017-18 was approved, MUUSAN's Active Legislation was reviewed and discussed, we were given a thorough review of MUUSAN's finances and development, and a slide show accompanied a litany of this year's accomplishments on behalf of bringing our UU Principles to life in legislative and public policy actions.
A Special Recognition Award was given to the First Universalist Church of Pittsfield:
"For a founding vision of MUUSAN and the courage to pursue that dream,
For your faithful support of MUUSAN through sharing of devoted leadership,
For understanding the value of our standing together as Maine Unitarian Universalists,
And for such spirited sharing of our passion for justice in law and policy."
The award was accepted by Trudy Ferland and Rev. Margaret Beckman.
It was a wonderful day of renewal, fellowship and progress in our work to bring an ethic of love and justice, in the company of our many organizational partners, to lawmaking and policymaking in Maine.
Mark your calendars now for MUUSAN's 2018 Spring Conference, Saturday, May 12, 2018, at the UU Community Church of Augusta.
In our Annual Meeting, led by Co-Chairs Trudy Ferland and Julia Fitz-Randolph, the slate of Steering Committee members for 2017-18 was approved, MUUSAN's Active Legislation was reviewed and discussed, we were given a thorough review of MUUSAN's finances and development, and a slide show accompanied a litany of this year's accomplishments on behalf of bringing our UU Principles to life in legislative and public policy actions.
A Special Recognition Award was given to the First Universalist Church of Pittsfield:
"For a founding vision of MUUSAN and the courage to pursue that dream,
For your faithful support of MUUSAN through sharing of devoted leadership,
For understanding the value of our standing together as Maine Unitarian Universalists,
And for such spirited sharing of our passion for justice in law and policy."
The award was accepted by Trudy Ferland and Rev. Margaret Beckman.
It was a wonderful day of renewal, fellowship and progress in our work to bring an ethic of love and justice, in the company of our many organizational partners, to lawmaking and policymaking in Maine.
Mark your calendars now for MUUSAN's 2018 Spring Conference, Saturday, May 12, 2018, at the UU Community Church of Augusta.
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March 31, 2017
First Maine Interfaith Advocacy Days a Major Success
On March 27-28, Unitarian Universalists were well-represented among the more than 130 people of diverse faiths who participated in this first-ever large-scale interfaith training and lobbying event at the State House.
Grounded in shared worship and prayer, participants spent a day of learning with theologians and policy experts on the issues of hunger, homelessness, health care, and climate justice. Keynote address by Rev. Bill Barter here.
On the second day, participants gathered at the State House, where they were formally recognized by the House of Representatives, visited the Senate in action, and then spoke directly with their individual Senators and Representatives to advocate for just positions on pending legislation.
Happening upon a gubernatorial news conference on the budget, they were also able to take a public stand with the media for a moral budget — a maneuver described in the Portland Press Herald and the Bangor Daily News:
As the governor’s news conference wrapped up, several dozen attendees of a faith-based advocacy event gathered outside his office holding small placards reading, “I support a moral budget.”
“This RISE proposal is helping no one rise,” said the Rev. Benjamin Shambaugh, dean of St. Luke’s Cathedral in Portland and an organizer of Interfaith Advocacy Days, which bring religious leaders and participants from various faiths to the State House. “What we’ve seen is a decline in the care for children, for seniors and for others in need. We represent faith communities that believe our faith needs to be put into action, and we understand that there is a budget surplus so these cuts are not necessary.”
First Maine Interfaith Advocacy Days a Major Success
On March 27-28, Unitarian Universalists were well-represented among the more than 130 people of diverse faiths who participated in this first-ever large-scale interfaith training and lobbying event at the State House.
Grounded in shared worship and prayer, participants spent a day of learning with theologians and policy experts on the issues of hunger, homelessness, health care, and climate justice. Keynote address by Rev. Bill Barter here.
On the second day, participants gathered at the State House, where they were formally recognized by the House of Representatives, visited the Senate in action, and then spoke directly with their individual Senators and Representatives to advocate for just positions on pending legislation.
Happening upon a gubernatorial news conference on the budget, they were also able to take a public stand with the media for a moral budget — a maneuver described in the Portland Press Herald and the Bangor Daily News:
As the governor’s news conference wrapped up, several dozen attendees of a faith-based advocacy event gathered outside his office holding small placards reading, “I support a moral budget.”
“This RISE proposal is helping no one rise,” said the Rev. Benjamin Shambaugh, dean of St. Luke’s Cathedral in Portland and an organizer of Interfaith Advocacy Days, which bring religious leaders and participants from various faiths to the State House. “What we’ve seen is a decline in the care for children, for seniors and for others in need. We represent faith communities that believe our faith needs to be put into action, and we understand that there is a budget surplus so these cuts are not necessary.”
MUUSAN thanks our sponsoring partners Maine Council of Churches, Maine Episcopal Network for Justice, and Preble Street Faith Action Network for all their good work in assembling these two days of witnessing to our faiths' most fundamental teachings of love and justice in our work with legislators.
March 27-28: Maine Interfaith Advocacy Days
Lobby training and legislator meetings in Augusta for people of faith
This two-day event is designed to bring people of all faiths together in our state capital to worship, learn, and advocate effectively with Maine’s legislators on the issues of hunger, homelessness, health care, and climate justice.
DAY ONE (at South Parish Congregational Church UCC, Augusta, 9:00-4:30): Keynote speakers, panel presentations, and in-depth workshops will give participants the tools they need to become effective advocates who can articulate informed positions rooted in our faiths’ common social justice traditions. Participants register for two workshops (choose from hunger, homelessness, health care, and climate justice) led by policy experts and theologians in those fields.
DAY TWO (at Cross Office Building, 8:30-2:00): Equipped with that information and inspiration, participants will visit the State House in Augusta speaking directly with their Representatives and Senators about pending legislation. Grounded in our shared traditions of justice, peace and the integrity of creation, we will strengthen our voices of faith and mobilize for action.
COST: $20 includes lunch both days. Click HERE to register. FLYER
A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TRAINING. Please join us in Augusta on March 27 and 28!
Sponsored by: Maine Council of Churches, Maine Episcopal Network for Justice, Preble Street Faith Action Network
Co-sponsors: Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network (MUUSAN); Capital Area Multi-faith Association; Winthrop Area Ministerial Association; Faith Linking in Action, Bangor
For more information contact:
John Hennessy Maine Episcopal Network for Justice, [email protected]
Jane Field, Maine Council of Churches, [email protected]
Lobby training and legislator meetings in Augusta for people of faith
This two-day event is designed to bring people of all faiths together in our state capital to worship, learn, and advocate effectively with Maine’s legislators on the issues of hunger, homelessness, health care, and climate justice.
DAY ONE (at South Parish Congregational Church UCC, Augusta, 9:00-4:30): Keynote speakers, panel presentations, and in-depth workshops will give participants the tools they need to become effective advocates who can articulate informed positions rooted in our faiths’ common social justice traditions. Participants register for two workshops (choose from hunger, homelessness, health care, and climate justice) led by policy experts and theologians in those fields.
DAY TWO (at Cross Office Building, 8:30-2:00): Equipped with that information and inspiration, participants will visit the State House in Augusta speaking directly with their Representatives and Senators about pending legislation. Grounded in our shared traditions of justice, peace and the integrity of creation, we will strengthen our voices of faith and mobilize for action.
COST: $20 includes lunch both days. Click HERE to register. FLYER
A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TRAINING. Please join us in Augusta on March 27 and 28!
Sponsored by: Maine Council of Churches, Maine Episcopal Network for Justice, Preble Street Faith Action Network
Co-sponsors: Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network (MUUSAN); Capital Area Multi-faith Association; Winthrop Area Ministerial Association; Faith Linking in Action, Bangor
For more information contact:
John Hennessy Maine Episcopal Network for Justice, [email protected]
Jane Field, Maine Council of Churches, [email protected]
February 22, 2017
Interfaith Prayer Vigil for a Moral Budget
Hall of Flags, Maine State House
Interfaith Prayer Vigil for a Moral Budget
Hall of Flags, Maine State House
MUUSAN's Rev. Pam Gross joined with clergy from Buddhist,
Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Quaker and Unitarian Universalist traditions
in leading public prayer for a moral budget in the State House Hall of
Flags. Together, as people of faith, we called our legislators to be
mindful of the most vulnerable residents in our state.
The Governor has proposed budget cuts of more than $65 million
from anti-poverty programs that provide health care, food and shelter
to Mainers who face steadily rising costs along with dwindling
opportunity for jobs that can support a family. These deep cuts are
proposed while providing thousands of dollars in income tax cuts to
some of the wealthiest people in our state.
Vigil sponsored by the Maine Council of Churches and Maine Equal Justice Partners. Read Rev. Gross's prayer here.
Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Quaker and Unitarian Universalist traditions
in leading public prayer for a moral budget in the State House Hall of
Flags. Together, as people of faith, we called our legislators to be
mindful of the most vulnerable residents in our state.
The Governor has proposed budget cuts of more than $65 million
from anti-poverty programs that provide health care, food and shelter
to Mainers who face steadily rising costs along with dwindling
opportunity for jobs that can support a family. These deep cuts are
proposed while providing thousands of dollars in income tax cuts to
some of the wealthiest people in our state.
Vigil sponsored by the Maine Council of Churches and Maine Equal Justice Partners. Read Rev. Gross's prayer here.
January 2017
MUUSAN and UUs across Maine Participate in Jan. 21 Women's Marches
The Women's March was a worldwide protest by about three million people on January 21, 2017, to protect legislation and policies regarding human rights and other issues, including women's rights, immigration reform, healthcare reform, the natural environment, LGBTQ rights, racial equality, freedom of religion, and workers' rights. It was the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history.
Maine Unitarian Universalists traveled far and wide to join the Women's Marches — and some also stayed home to organize and anchor local Sister Marches. Several MUUSAN leaders went to our nation's capital for the Women's March on Washington, with half a million marching. UUs from at least 17 of Maine's 25 congregations were identified at the Maine Women's March in Augusta, where 10,000 marched in the largest such event at the State House in Maine history.
Meanwhile, UUs helped to lead Sister Marches in Portland (more than 10,000 marching), Brunswick, Houlton, Kennebunk and Sanford. The photos include images from all of those march sites.
MUUSAN and UUs across Maine Participate in Jan. 21 Women's Marches
The Women's March was a worldwide protest by about three million people on January 21, 2017, to protect legislation and policies regarding human rights and other issues, including women's rights, immigration reform, healthcare reform, the natural environment, LGBTQ rights, racial equality, freedom of religion, and workers' rights. It was the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history.
Maine Unitarian Universalists traveled far and wide to join the Women's Marches — and some also stayed home to organize and anchor local Sister Marches. Several MUUSAN leaders went to our nation's capital for the Women's March on Washington, with half a million marching. UUs from at least 17 of Maine's 25 congregations were identified at the Maine Women's March in Augusta, where 10,000 marched in the largest such event at the State House in Maine history.
Meanwhile, UUs helped to lead Sister Marches in Portland (more than 10,000 marching), Brunswick, Houlton, Kennebunk and Sanford. The photos include images from all of those march sites.
January 2017
Maine's Victory for Ranked-Choice Voting (Nov. 2016) Makes The Nation's 2016 Progressive Honor Roll
MUUSAN assigned Ranked-Choice Voting its highest-priority endorsement in the Fall 2016 campaigns for several ballot initiatives presented to voters. Unitarian Universalists in congregations all across our state mobilized to support "YES on Question 5," the Ranked-Choice Voting campaign, spurred by our Fifth Principle commitment to promoting democracy and expanding voter voice.
MUUSAN was the only Maine faith-based organization formally to endorse the RCV campaign. We are proud of the hard work done by UUs to educate and mobilize their congregations and to support the Question 5 campaign through delivering sermons; offering special worship services devoted to strengthening democracy through RCV; sponsoring educational forums; providing phonebanking space, county captains, and many volunteers; helping to organize rallies; and writing Letters to the Editor.
Rev. Carie Johnsen (UU Community Church of Augusta) anchored the campaign's Faith Leader Press Conference (photo below) held on the steps of First Parish Portland UU.
Following the Nov. 8 first-in-the-nation victory for Ranked-Choice Voting, Maine was recognized in the Jan.16-23 issue of The Nation for having achieved the MOST VALUABLE STATE ELECTORAL REFORM.
MUUSAN remains an active, close partner of the Ranked Choice Voting campaign to ensure the speedy and proper implementation of this important new Maine law. Through our activism for strong democracy, we live out our UU faith.
MUUSAN was the only Maine faith-based organization formally to endorse the RCV campaign. We are proud of the hard work done by UUs to educate and mobilize their congregations and to support the Question 5 campaign through delivering sermons; offering special worship services devoted to strengthening democracy through RCV; sponsoring educational forums; providing phonebanking space, county captains, and many volunteers; helping to organize rallies; and writing Letters to the Editor.
Rev. Carie Johnsen (UU Community Church of Augusta) anchored the campaign's Faith Leader Press Conference (photo below) held on the steps of First Parish Portland UU.
Following the Nov. 8 first-in-the-nation victory for Ranked-Choice Voting, Maine was recognized in the Jan.16-23 issue of The Nation for having achieved the MOST VALUABLE STATE ELECTORAL REFORM.
MUUSAN remains an active, close partner of the Ranked Choice Voting campaign to ensure the speedy and proper implementation of this important new Maine law. Through our activism for strong democracy, we live out our UU faith.
MUUSAN's Climate Change delegation visits Sen. Collins's office Jan. 26
Photo L to R: Helen Cunningham, Casco Bay HS Junior (Allen Ave. UU, Portland); Michael Williams (Allen Ave. UU, Portland); Melanie Lanctot (UU Community Church of Augusta); Mary Simpson (UU Community Church of Augusta); Mary Ann Larson (First Parish Portland UU); Isabel Denham (Allen Ave. UU, Portland); Jane Pentheny (First Universalist, Auburn).
For MUUSAN, these seven UUs from four congregations made a timely visit to the Lewiston office of Senator Susan Collins where they met with staffer Carlene Tremblay to share their concerns related to climate change. With 2015 just named the hottest year on record, these citizen-activists thanked the Senator for her support of the President’s Clean Power Plan and the state’s efficiency efforts. They asked that the Senator take an even bolder stance by proposing a carbon tax that would finally require polluters to either pay to pollute or invest in cleaner energy.
For MUUSAN, these seven UUs from four congregations made a timely visit to the Lewiston office of Senator Susan Collins where they met with staffer Carlene Tremblay to share their concerns related to climate change. With 2015 just named the hottest year on record, these citizen-activists thanked the Senator for her support of the President’s Clean Power Plan and the state’s efficiency efforts. They asked that the Senator take an even bolder stance by proposing a carbon tax that would finally require polluters to either pay to pollute or invest in cleaner energy.
November 2015
MUUSAN Welcomes Betsy Parsons
The Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network (MUUSAN) is pleased to announce it has hired Betsy Parsons of South Portland as its Administrator. Betsy is a long-time member of the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church of Portland.
Her background includes thirty years of teaching English in the Portland Public Schools and preparing novice teachers in Maine and Massachusetts. She is a longtime LGBT civil rights activist who has been deeply involved in organizing for safer schools through the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) of Southern Maine. That chapter, along with Downeast GLSEN, has worked to reduce hate language and harassment in schools by helping students establish Gay-Straight-Trans Alliances in half of Maine’s high schools.
Betsy holds degrees from Oberlin College, Brown University, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She was appointed by Republican, Independent and Democratic Governors of Maine to serve on state educational commissions and was a member of the first delegation of LGBT teachers and students to meet with a U.S. Secretary of Education.
Betsy has received a number of awards and honors, most notably the Gerda Haas Award for Excellence in Human Rights Education and Leadership from the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine. She is widely known throughout Maine for her work on social justice issues.
Her background includes thirty years of teaching English in the Portland Public Schools and preparing novice teachers in Maine and Massachusetts. She is a longtime LGBT civil rights activist who has been deeply involved in organizing for safer schools through the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) of Southern Maine. That chapter, along with Downeast GLSEN, has worked to reduce hate language and harassment in schools by helping students establish Gay-Straight-Trans Alliances in half of Maine’s high schools.
Betsy holds degrees from Oberlin College, Brown University, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She was appointed by Republican, Independent and Democratic Governors of Maine to serve on state educational commissions and was a member of the first delegation of LGBT teachers and students to meet with a U.S. Secretary of Education.
Betsy has received a number of awards and honors, most notably the Gerda Haas Award for Excellence in Human Rights Education and Leadership from the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine. She is widely known throughout Maine for her work on social justice issues.
MUUSAN Receives Major Grant
The Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network (MUUSAN) co-chairs, Trudy Ferland of Pittsfield and Dale McCormick of Augusta, are delighted to announce a one-year $10,000 grant from the Unitarian Universalist Funding Program, based in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. The Program believes strongly in creating justice in the larger community and in making Unitarian Universalism more visible in the world. In awarding the grant, Program Director Hillary Goodridge said, “We believe your work exemplifies these values in action.”
Ferland and McCormick said, “We could not be more pleased for our organization than to have our vision be so warmly recognized.”
Founded in November 2012, MUUSAN gives voice to UU values in the public arena through statewide advocacy. This grant makes possible the next step in becoming a more sustainable and effective organization. With this generous support, MUUSAN has hired a part-time administrative coordinator to expand the base and reach of MUUSAN, regularize communications with congregations, ministers, and social justice committees at Maine’s 26 UU congregations. She will maintain and improve the Web and Facebook sites, distribute a newsletter and “Action Alerts” by e-mail, maintain organizational and financial records, handle correspondence, keep abreast of news related to statewide justice issues, and help network MUUSAN with organizational partners working on our issues.
Ferland and McCormick said, “We could not be more pleased for our organization than to have our vision be so warmly recognized.”
Founded in November 2012, MUUSAN gives voice to UU values in the public arena through statewide advocacy. This grant makes possible the next step in becoming a more sustainable and effective organization. With this generous support, MUUSAN has hired a part-time administrative coordinator to expand the base and reach of MUUSAN, regularize communications with congregations, ministers, and social justice committees at Maine’s 26 UU congregations. She will maintain and improve the Web and Facebook sites, distribute a newsletter and “Action Alerts” by e-mail, maintain organizational and financial records, handle correspondence, keep abreast of news related to statewide justice issues, and help network MUUSAN with organizational partners working on our issues.
MUUSAN Co-Chair Dale McCormick interviewed on MPBN
Read the article or listen to the interview about increasing minimum wages: Advocates Pressure Collins to Support Minimum Wage Increase