Durham-Area Women of Faith Host “Ruth’s Journey,” A Groundbreaking Discussion on Women & Immigration
(Durham, North Carolina) – On Friday, local women of faith joined with their fellow sisters in the business and civic community at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church for “Ruth’s Journey,” a one of a kind interfaith tea and dialogue to discuss the impact of immigration on women and their families.
Moderated by WRAL-TV anchor Renee Chou, the event lifted up the stories and relationships that transcend cultural and religious boundaries. Participants included Casey Smith, Chapel Hill high school student, Christine, a refugee, now residing in Chapel Hill, Flicka Bateman, Founder and Director of the Refugee Support Center in Chapel Hill, Vimala Rajendran, Executive Chef at Vilama’s Curryblossom Café in Chapel Hill, Kristine Barnes, a church member at Lus del Pueblo/Light of the People United Methodist Church in Cary, Edith Salazar Veliz, formerly of Peru, now pastor at Lus del Pueblo/Light of the People United Methodist Church in Cary and Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, Bishop Suffragan-Elect of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.
With friendships that have transcended differences in ethnicity, religion, age, and background, these heroic and strong North Carolina women described why these connections are critical to creating a roadmap to citizenship and passing comprehensive immigration reform in 2013.
Flicka Bateman, Founder and Director of Refugee Support Center in Chapel Hill, described the unique bond that she formed with her friend, Christine. “Our relationship was one of mutual discovery. While she learned much about American culture and the English language, I learned much about the language , background, culture and the political situation in her country. Most importantly, I learned about the courage and resilience of Christine’s family as well that of all other refugees who had fled from brutal dictatorships.”
Unable to attend but voicing her support, Amina J. Turner, Executive Director of North Carolina NAACP discussed the diverse experiences of the African American and Latino community and the need to jointly pursue public policies that pursue justice:
“Our experiences may have not been the same as to how we arrived on the shores of the United States of America, but our battle is the same,” said Ms. Turner. “But the bad public policy that has passed and is still being proposed affects all working families, all households headed by women, thus their children. Bad public policy produces bad outcomes for generations to come and the faith and civic community must stand united against these unjust and anti-family policies.”
Casey Smith, a local high school student and friend of Aline, a Congolese refugee who resettled in Carrboro, described the value of her cross-cultural friendship and the importance of pro-family immigration policies.
“Working with Aline and her family reminds me how important it is to value family unity in the immigration process,” said Casey. “People moving to the United States rely most on their families for support and familiarity throughout the challenges of assimilation. I have truly enjoyed getting to know Aline and helping her family transition to life in the United States.”
Women comprise half of all immigrants coming into the U.S. every year, work for universities, hospitals, care for America’s children and the elderly, and are the backbone of America’s economic engine. Torn apart from their own families and with less access to legal and social services than many U.S. citizens, immigrants are often forced to live in a perpetual state of fear as victims of domestic violence and human rights abuses. Women of faith in North Carolina and throughout America will not rest until every woman and girl can come out of the shadows and fulfill their full potential, and be granted full rights under the law.
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Photos and video from the event can be found at http://vimeo.com/album/
