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Legacies of Disability Justice within the UCC
“Not long ago authority was mostly limited to men. Women, people of color, and persons with disabilities were not perceived to have as much to contribute to church and society. Today we know nothing could be further from the truth!” – Virginia Kreyer
Harold Wilke
Harold Wilke, born in 1914, spent his life advocating for disability justice within the UCC. He challenged the church to reframe its language about disabilities and helped congregations address accessibility issues in both their buildings and their attitudes.
Virginia Kreyer
In the 1970s, Virginia Kreyer dedicated her ministry to helping churches learn about and accommodate disabled people. She was instrumental in pushing the UCC General Synod to pass “The Church and Persons with Handicaps” resolution. Later, she was a consultant for what would eventually become the UCC Disabilities Ministries.
Paul Fogle
Paul Fogle previously served as the Chair of the UCCDM. He was known for his fierce passion for disability advocacy, his faithfulness, his snark, and his friendship. Paul so often said, “We take care of each other.” His life and work continue to impact the UCCDM's work to this day.