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- By Gail Sandlin
We’ve had a full second week of CSW and again want to share some impressions with you. A more in-depth analysis will follow in our newsletter in April.
It was a privilege to attend CSW70 in person. In these times of uncertainty, I appreciate such amazing access, with the added bonus of meeting ICUUW members who I had only chatted with online before. Here we are gathering after a session at the UN.
The two NGOCSW|NY co-chairs provided informative summary briefings, and they hosted a reception where we enjoyed fun and camaraderie, a wonderful banquet, a DJ for intergenerational dancing, good conversations and laughs.
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- By UN Advocacy Committee
We’ve had an inspiring first week of CSW and want to share some impressions with you. A more in-depth analysis will follow later, after the conclusion of CSW.
Entering the UN building to attend the CSW brought back vivid memories of my time as an intern at UN Women. Walking through those halls again reminded me of the sense of purpose and possibility that comes from being part of thoughtful, strategic conversations on human rights, women’s leadership, and gender equality. The atmosphere felt both inspiring and serene. What made the experience even more meaningful was engaging in these discussions alongside brave women and men who are committed to making this world a more equitable and better place for future generations. - Pooja
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- By Tina Huesing, Germany/USA
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2026. As an organization spanning the globe, we rely on virtual meetings, newsletters and other updates to keep us informed. I trust these messages find you well, and perhaps they inspire you to start your own project in your community. ICUUW is the place where we connect to advance women’s leadership and self-determination. We work together to end all forms of discrimination. It’s good to be in global community. As U*Us we are all part of the interconnected web.
We draw inspiration from each other and all the amazing women who came before us. As Fannie Lou Hamer said: “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” Fannie was a prominent Mississippi civil rights leader who was renowned for her voting rights activism. Wangari Maathai, Kenyan feminist, founder of the Green Belt Movement and Nobel Laureate, reminds us that women’s rights are human rights. “Human rights are not things that are put on the table for people to enjoy. These are things you fight for and then you protect.” Vida Goldstein was a pioneering suffragist in Australia who fought for women's right to vote and stand for parliament. Women’s right to vote was fought in so many countries. New Zealand was the first country in 1893, followed by Australia in 1902 and while universal suffrage is now common (but not everywhere yet), barriers to participation still persist.
What these women and their efforts have in common is that they were not discouraged by setbacks or the slow pace of change but kept working on making their communities and the world a better place for all by focusing on women’s equity. We in ICUUW continue these efforts.
Read about some of our efforts in this newsletter and reach out if you want to get more involved. Send an email to
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- By Elgiva Shullai, ICUUW Vice President
In early January 2026 , about 120 members of the Indian Council of Unitarian Churches (ICUC) travelled to Chennai in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They came from the state of Meghalaya with its churches in the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Karbi Anglong district, as well as a congregation in the neighboring state of Assam. Other members of ICUC travelled from Gujarat, a state on the border to Pakistan. Their journeys took them across 3000 kilometers to attend the 10th ICUC conference.
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- By Rev. Carol Huston, chair of the UN Advocacy Committee
This is the busy time of year for the UN Advocacy Committee. We observe and attend UN events year-round, but our mission calls us to be active at the annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to be held March 9-20. ICUUW will have a delegation of more than 10 in New York City to attend CSW in person. We will meet to discuss what we are seeing and hearing and perhaps craft statements (interventions) in response to what is happening.
This should be an interesting year given the fact that the world order is changing, perhaps even turning away from the mission of the UN. It is troubling to know that many of us are citizens of the nation which is driving that change, but we probably won’t feel anti-UN sentiment as individuals. After all, we are US citizens who still hope the UN mission will go forward.
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- By ICUUW Staff
UU Women's Federation
In March and April, UUWF is hosting a workshop for its members on Feminist Use of Power. "Power in our justice movements is a tricky subject. As Unitarian Universalists, our values ask us to share the wealth of power and dismantle harmful, hierarchical tactics to center those most marginalized. At UUWF, we don't see power as this all-or-nothing terror - we know that when used for the common good, power in our movements can change lives for the better." Register now.
European Unitarian Universalists
In April, EUU is gathering for its Spring Seminar Captain of My Soul: Orienteering a Faithful Life. What inner compass guides your choices? How do you navigate the freedom of being fully and authentically yourself while building a life of meaning and integrity? Over this weekend retreat, we will explore how to chart journeys shaped by Unitarian Universalist values, grounded in our deepest ethical principles, and fueled by our boldest dreams. More information is available on the EUU website.
UU Women and Religion
New officers have been elected, and there are fresh items in their online Store. Check out their website to browse their offerings.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines
UUCP are very active on their FaceBook page with beautiful posts.
UU Worldwide Youth Network (UUWYN)
UUWYN connects young people from all over the world for peace-building, service, and leadership.
SisterSoUUrce
Sister SoUUrce Executive Director Rev. Crystal Saiyge is co-hosting a Global Worship service on the 4th Saturday each month, with groups from the UU Church in Kenya.
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- By Karen Kortsch, Communications Committee
Did you know that ICUUW has its own YouTube channel? It is a great place to learn more about our programs and activities. If you missed one of our online events, you will likely find the recording here. From recordings of recent events, such as our Member Connection Call this past November, to our journey to Bolivia in 2015, a wealth of enriching experiences await you.