Adventist Women's Center : About the WRC

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About the WRC

Our Mission

We promote gender equality in the Adventist church through research, service, and education. The mission of the center is to equip this generation to experience and expressthe healing gospel.

Our Purpose
- We research and honor the accomplishments and contributions of Adventist women in the past.
- We celebrate and support Adventist women in the present and offer information on gender issues.
- We educate and encourage Adventist women and men to greater mutuality in the future.

We Are Part of La Sierra University and the Adventist Church

With the motto, "From diversity, community," La Sierra University is a liberal arts university affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Its mission holds up the ideal of seeking knowledge, knowing ourselves, and serving others. Located in Riverside, California, the institution has international affiliations and extension campuses in Asia, Australia, and Latin America. The university has five academicdivisions and grants associate, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. The student body of nearly two thousand represents over 70 countries, and claims a broad international and ethnic mix. The Seventh-day Adventist church has over 11 million members. Its key beliefs are the soon return of Christ and honoring the sevent-day Sabbath,established at creation. The church provides a world-wide ministry of evangelism, education, and healthcare.

How Did WRC Originate?

Accepting President Lawrence Geraty's recommendation, the La Sierra University Board of Trustees voted in November 1996 to establish the first Women's Resource Center in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.Those whose vision and energy sparked the proposal and secured its final approval were Madelynn Jones-Haldeman and Ginger Hanks-Harwood of the School of Religion, Sandra Hodge, Audray Johnson, Penny Miller and Marta Teel, and Susan Thompson. Adeny Schmidt, then vice president of academic affairs, was instrumental in implementing the proposal and appointing the founding director. "Approximately sixty percent of all church members are women. It's essential that those preparing forleadership positions in the church and community be prepared to workeffectively with people of both genders," they pointed out.

Who Are the Staff at WRC?

Heide Ford, R.N., M.A. "Director since 2006"

Former Staff

Penny Shell, Ed.D., M.A., M.A. "Director since 2002; associate director from 2000-2002."

Kit Watts, M.A., M.S.L.I.S., "Special Projects Coordinator since 2002; founding director, from the center's opening in 1997 to 2002."

Why a Women's Resource Center?