I attend the Atlanta Friends Meeting. When Friend Carolyn Coburn-Allen announced she would be conducting a Job Seekers' Class, I seized upon the chance to attend. At week five of the class, I found myself announcing I had been accepted to law school. The question then posed by one of Carolyn's' guest speakers was "If you could have any job in the world, what would your dream job be?"

            I answered "The ACLU; I would work at the ACLU." After some discussion, I agreed to apply for a volunteer position with the ACLU. I was extremely excited when Diane Winters granted me the privilege of a volunteer position at the ACLU.

            Aside from the Quaker political advocacy organization, Friends Committee on National Legislation, I believe the positions adopted by the ACLU are most frequently in line with my own faith values. Historically, Quakers have not fared well under theocracy. Early Friends were arrested and imprisoned for blasphemy, public speaking, and, in England, violation of the Conventicle Act. As an attender of Atlanta Friends Meeting, I deeply appreciate the ACLU guardianship over Separation of Church and State that is so vital to protect the rights of people of various faiths and belief systems.

            As early Quakers were interred in prisons in England and America, their concern for prison reforms and prisoners' rights arose. Friends were led by scripture such as Matthew 25: 34-40.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers you did it to me."  

This concern for the welfare of prisoners persists to this day. While it could be argued that the ACLU protects the constitution rather than individuals, I discern that those our society is least sympathetic to, such as prisoners', are served by ACLU advocacy. Such advocacy is important to me because I believe that there is that of G-d in every person.

            Quakers have no creed; however, that there is that of G-d in every person is likely the most universally accepted truth among the diverse people who take part in the Religious Society of Friends. This belief is the foundation for the one of five Quaker testimonies: equality. The ACLU is a powerful advocate for equality.

            The Religious Society of Friends has long recognized the inherent equality of women. Margaret Fell Fox, known as the Nursing Mother of Quakerism, published in 1666 Women's Speaking Justified which elucidates her justification for women sharing faith messages in meeting for worship. While many today would find several of her points outdated, I believe it opened way for the eventual acceptance of female ministers among other denominations such as the Episcopalians, the Jehovah's Witnesses, and the American United Methodist Church. I assume increasing recognition of women's spiritual equality before G-d will lead to improving conditions for women in other, non-religious, spheres of life.

            The American suffragist movement includes within its' ranks such venerable Friends as Lucretia Mott and Alice Paul. The unfortunate support of prohibition implemented in 1919 was motivated in part by Friends' desire to mitigate violence against women. Today the ACLU is instrumental in defending Women's Rights and Reproductive Freedom.

            Though there remains division on marriage equality among some Friends, Quakers in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and some Yearly Meetings in the United States advocate marriage equality. Same gender unions, though not recognized by the U.S. government, in a grievous violation of the separation of church and state, have occurred at multiple Friends' Meetinghouses. These Meetings do recognize these couples as married. Personally, I do not accept that the government has the right to deny marital privileges to those that we have witnessed commit to the union of marriage. I, therefore, respect and support the work the ACLU performs as this organization conscientiously pursues equity and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

            Quaker history is stained with racial injustice, including some Friends who sold, bought, and owned slaves; prior to the civil war. Still, the strongest current among Quakers flows toward equality and racial justice. Among Friends in the past, there were several abolitionists. One Friend, Levi Coffin, was so instrumental in assisting former slaves reach freedom; he was nicknamed the President of the Underground Railroad. In recent history, Friends, such as Nan Pendergrast, worked in cooperation with others to advance the civil rights movement. In our larger society, race motivated abuses and violations against individuals and groups continue to occur. The ACLU strives to correct these injustices that we may all enjoy a stronger, more peaceful, more just society.

            I volunteer with the ACLU because it is the foremost organization in defending constitutional rights for all of us whether we ascribe to commonly held beliefs, uncommon beliefs, or non-belief in spiritual powers. The ACLU reminds us all that the constitution is for 100% of Americans. It is a privilege and an honor to provide some small service to the exemplary staff of the ACLU of Georgia who have dedicated their careers to safeguarding constitutional rights for all Americans.