A MARRIAGE OF TRUE MINDS: CORNERSTONE FOR HAPPINESS SEMINAR IN CHICAGO
Editor’s note: This article was written with new readers in mind, and thus includes a general introduction to the work of WFWP.
It is the nature of human beings to work at solving imminent problems. Renowned 20th century inventor and visionary, R. Buckminster Fuller said, "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." And this has been the essence of the work of the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) since its inception in 1992, with the announcement of the Era of Women. The co-founders, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, put the torch in the hands of women around the world, to light the way in securing their innate value and using these unique roles to collaboratively work to develop solutions for the many worldwide problems afflicting humanity today. WFWP chapters around the world have established programs which seek to relieve the effects of poverty and lack of education, and support women's dignity.
Through many programs such as the establishment of ten schools in Africa, an educational program for refugee children in Lebanon, constructing a kindergarten in Nepal, and the One Percent Love Share program started for North Korean children (and expanded to underprivileged women and children worldwide), WFWP International established itself as a 501 (c) (3) non-government organization achieving General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 1997 and has sustained this status through projects targeting some of the UN's 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs).
After 27 years, the natural development for WFWP is to work collaboratively with like-minded women and organizations to resolve the manyfold problems in the world. Hence, WFWP USA has been launching the Global Women's Peace Network (GWPN) around the country to create projects through a shared vision and mission that increase outreach and impact, and the next launch will be in Chicago!
In an effort to connect to organizations on the local level, the WFWP Chicago chapter has started offering the "Cornerstone for Happiness: Marriage and Family Seminar” to members of other organizations on the third Saturday of every month. On May 18th, 2019, the chapter hosted the second presentation of this powerful educational program for A Secret Place Ministries, an organization which services teens through seniors with the mission to teach women their unique and precious value as princesses and queens of God. Founded and directed by Rev. Dr. Mabel Meadors, MPA, A Secret Place Ministries teaches abstinence and counsels women with such problems as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and both physical and verbal abuse.
Rev. Meadors, accompanied by two associates, Professor Theresa Misher and Denise Coleman, braved a torrential rainstorm in their 42-mile trek to the WFWP Schaumburg, Illinois venue to hear the first session of the four-session seminar they were scheduled to attend. An introduction to WFWP International and USA by WFWP Midwest Director Kathryn Davis, got underway soon after their arrival and the participants were given a packet of materials to take home, which would enhance their introductory experience.
Then Minister Fannie Smith, the WFWP USA National Coordinator of the Schools of Africa project, offered a special presentation about a couple of her recent experiences with WFWP, one in New York City as a participant of the 63rd UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) and the other in Los Angeles as a witness to the exciting launch of GWPN on the West Coast. "I am fascinated by my experiences over the last 10 years in association with WFWP, traveling to China, the Caribbean, Korea and the UN, as well as throughout the USA, in the name of women who lead with love,” she concluded.
After a hearty lunch, the group returned, all smiles, to immerse themselves in the main portion of the program, the Marriage and Family Seminar, presented by Ms. Davis. Session One “Where Are We At?” delves into the current landscape of America's customs and values, and unhealthy examples of love, sexuality, marriage and family. A historical view of marriage in each culture and religion is examined, revealing that marriage establishes families that are the basic training ground for good character and good citizenship. Moreover, women have a unique role in the family: to influence, guide, educate and inspire their children and those around them to live their lives not just for themselves but for others. An environment with good families becomes an environment of peace. WFWP is not alone in this worldview.
However, society and individuals have changed their views on marriage, and therefore, it has become increasingly hard to establish and sustain healthy, happy families. The participants viewed the data on married versus unmarried men and women, and the data on the effects of broken families on children is staggering. After viewing a video of underage children's reaction to print ads with nudity and highly sexualized content, the participants were shocked.
The seminar participants then held a lively discussion on why it has become so hard for people to build and sustain happy marriages. Rev. Meadors shared her views on the key role that women play in the family and how unfortunately some individuals shy away from the responsibilities of marriage, preferring to focus solely on their careers. Professor Misher added that it was becoming increasingly difficult to share an opinion that went against the mainstream, which had changed drastically since the days of her youth. Denise Coleman expressed regret about the devastating message that human beings are worthless and how it affects children.
At the end, the ladies were looking forward to the next session on June 15th, 2019.
Through seeking to "Live by the Logic of Love" and learning to "Lead through Loving Service," WFWP women have been working together, taking initiative and empowering one another across lines of race, culture and religion. Some of WFWP USA's areas of impact are the Leadership of the Heart program, the Bridge of Peace Ceremony, and marriage and family programs such as the Cornerstone for Happiness Seminar discussed in this article.
If you are interested in any of the programs described in this article, please visit our website www.wfwp.us to locate a WFWP USA chapter near you, or find a contact email or phone number.