Each year, the Unitarian Universalist Association president invites a distinguished guest to address the General Assembly as the Ware Lecturer. This year, two champions of freedom and equality shared the stage: Stacey Abrams, who served as Democratic Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives for 7 years prior to running for Governor of Georgia in 2018 in an election infamously marred by extensive voter suppression. Among her nonstop leadership initiatives since then has been Fair Fight Action, launched to ensure every American has a voice in our election system. She is also the bestselling author of several works of nonfiction and fiction. Desmond Meade is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually graduate from law school, become a Ford Global Fellow, be recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2019, and head the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC). He is the author of Let My People Vote: My Battle to Restore the Rights of Returning Citizens.
Both are passionate, eloquent speakers, and we are delighted to bring the Ware Lecture into our service.
Worship leaders: Stacey Abrams and Desmond Meade
Special music: Juanita Harris, vocalist
Follow along in the order of service: bit.ly/uucpa_oos_20210926.
- Ware Lecture – Stacey Abrams vimeo.com/showcase/8723073/video/568173694 @3:19
- Ware Lecture – Desmond Meade vimeo.com/showcase/8723073/video/568173694 @32:27
Topics: Democracy