NAD Hosts First-Ever Women in Seventh-day Adventist History Conference
GCWM Director Heather-Dawn Small's last public appearance
In October 2023, when GC WM Director, Heather-Dawn Small, participated in this conference, no one knew it would be her final public appearance. She was delighted that North American Division had taken the initiative in hosting the conference and in retelling the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church by including stories of women who worked alongside men.
On the last day of the conference she joined a panel discussion with her colleagues, former GC WM director Ardis Stenbakken, first female GC Vice President Ella S. Simmons (now retired), and current WM division directors DeeAnn Bragaw (North American Division) and Dagmar Dorn (Inter-European Division).
Dagmar Dorn's video report: "Hearing of the devotion and zeal of women in the past can inspire us today," Dorn told the women of Inter-European Division (EUD) in her short video report posted on EUD WM Facebook wall.
At the conference, Dorn interviewed both Heather-Dawn Small and Ardis Stenbakken with her mobile phone and also posted their comments on the EUD WM Facebook page.
- Heather-Dawn Small's video interview: "We got a chance to ask Heather-Dawn Small what her message to the world is," Dorn explained.
- Ardis Stenbakken's video interview: "We also got a chance to ask Ardis Stenbakken how she sees the future of women in the Seventh-day Adventist church," continued Dorn.
The NAD's inaugural Women in Seventh-day Adventist History Conference, held Oct. 12-14, 2023, on the Washington Adventist University Campus, concluded with panels of present-day women leaders in the church, including (L to R) Ella Simmons, retired General Conference vice president, Dagmar Dorn, Inter-European Division Women's Ministries director, DeeAnn Bragaw, NAD Women's Ministries director, and Judy R. Glass, NAD treasurer. Also part of this panel but not pictured were Celeste Ryan Blyden, Columbia Union Conference executive secretary, who facilitated, and Bonita J. Shields, NAD associate secretary. Photo: Glendon Hines, NAD
Heather-Dawn Small's PowerPoint presentation included images of the women who are displayed on the wall of Women's Ministries Department at the General Conference world headquarters. This was her last public presentation before her death, January 2, 2024. Photo: Dagmar Dorn, EUD
They Also Served podcast coming soon!
See also NAD News by Christine Agboka, October 26, 2023
