| Shenandoah
Presbytery |
the NEWs |
Summer
2008 |
Shenandoah's Pam Snyder Represents PW at United Nations
52nd Session of the United Nations Commission
on the Status of Women
Woman executive, PW Synod Moderator, sister, grandmother, mission worker. One might think this person is Wonder Woman who flies around in a cape and leaps tall buildings in a single bound, and yet stops to wipe the tears from her grandson’s eyes at the memorial service for his grandmother.
Well, all of this is true of Pam Snyder, current Moderator of the Synod of Mid-Atlantic Presbyterian Women – with the possible exception of the part about the cape! Her life is full of amazing stories and experiences that inspire and challenge us all to be better people.
In February 2008, Pam was selected to be one of the thirty-two delegates from the Presbyterian Women, PCUSA, to the 52nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Representatives from 184 countries gathered at the United Nations in New York City to be welcomed by Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon. Ki-Moon’s address began with the statement: “Investing in women is not only the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do.”
To prepare for this article, Pam talked over lunch about why in the world she would want to go to such a gathering.
“I want to make a difference for the women of the world. I want to be another voice for women who do not have a voice,” says, Pam. Her voice is now one of passion and great concern. Growing up in the valley, Pam felt she had some idea about the state of women in the world. Her view was adjusted somewhat after traveling twice to Baja, Mexico, to be a part of the Highland Augusta Mission Community mission teams.
“The women we encountered there were in difficult situations with little
hope of changing it. What I want to do is to be sure they and women
like them all over the world have a chance for an education, for good jobs,
and for a better life. They should not be subjected to intimidation,
violence and abuse and live lives of fear constantly,” she said.
The United Nations 52nd Session brought together women (and a few men) from all over the world. There were official delegates and NGO representatives representing faith-based organizations. The priority theme was “Financing for Gender Equality” which looked at reforming the way the UN system as a whole takes gender into account in decisions, budgets, resources and policies.
The work of this and previous Sessions dating back to 1995 are guided by the “Beijing Declaration – Action for Equality, Development and Peace.” This document was crafted at the Fourth World Conference on Women held in 1995 in Beijing on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
"My life has been a response to the call of God in so many ways. Whether it's at my church (Staunton Second Presbyterian), or in Baja or some place across the world, I want to be where God calls me."
Woman executive, PW Synod Moderator, sister, grandmother, mission worker. One might think this person is Wonder Woman who flies around in a cape and leaps tall buildings in a single bound, and yet stops to wipe the tears from her grandson’s eyes at the memorial service for his grandmother.
Well, all of this is true of Pam Snyder, current Moderator of the Synod of Mid-Atlantic Presbyterian Women – with the possible exception of the part about the cape! Her life is full of amazing stories and experiences that inspire and challenge us all to be better people.
In February 2008, Pam was selected to be one of the thirty-two delegates from the Presbyterian Women, PCUSA, to the 52nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Representatives from 184 countries gathered at the United Nations in New York City to be welcomed by Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon. Ki-Moon’s address began with the statement: “Investing in women is not only the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do.”
To prepare for this article, Pam talked over lunch about why in the world she would want to go to such a gathering.
“I want to make a difference for the women of the world. I want to be another voice for women who do not have a voice,” says, Pam. Her voice is now one of passion and great concern. Growing up in the valley, Pam felt she had some idea about the state of women in the world. Her view was adjusted somewhat after traveling twice to Baja, Mexico, to be a part of the Highland Augusta Mission Community mission teams.
“The women we encountered there were in difficult situations with little
hope of changing it. What I want to do is to be sure they and women
like them all over the world have a chance for an education, for good jobs,
and for a better life. They should not be subjected to intimidation,
violence and abuse and live lives of fear constantly,” she said.The United Nations 52nd Session brought together women (and a few men) from all over the world. There were official delegates and NGO representatives representing faith-based organizations. The priority theme was “Financing for Gender Equality” which looked at reforming the way the UN system as a whole takes gender into account in decisions, budgets, resources and policies.
The work of this and previous Sessions dating back to 1995 are guided by the “Beijing Declaration – Action for Equality, Development and Peace.” This document was crafted at the Fourth World Conference on Women held in 1995 in Beijing on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
"My life has been a response to the call of God in so many ways. Whether it's at my church (Staunton Second Presbyterian), or in Baja or some place across the world, I want to be where God calls me."