The UNA of Greater Milwaukee invites you to a highly informative presentation followed by time for questions and comments on the subject of
“Nourishment Through the Gifts of Water and Friendship”
Presented by
Dr. Andrea J. Stapleton, Grace Avila, & Theresa Lindberg
Members of the Board of Directors of Global Partners: Running Waters
Saturday – February 15th, 2025 from 10 AM – 11:30 AM
Free and Open to the Public
Attend In-Person at Zao MKE Church – 2319 E. Kenwood Blvd. – Milwaukee in the 2nd Floor Conference Room
or
Virtually Through the Following Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7165675210?omn=82730357220
Dr. Andrea Stapleton, Grace Avila, and Theresa Lindberg, members of the Board of Directors of Global Partners: Running Waters will describe the mission and the work of the organization. They will describe how Global Partners: Running Waters has impacted lives in Central America by the implementation of water systems while building relationships across nations to collaborate on easing the burdens on human lives resulting from complex systemic inequities.
They will discuss the consequences for people who must live without clean and accessible water, the nature of the work of Global Partners: Running Waters, and the impact on the communities that implement water systems. They will describe how the mission extends beyond the implementation of water systems, but also the creation of cultural exchanges, and the human impact that results from awareness, education, and solidarity.
Dr. Andrea J. Stapleton serves as the President of the Board of Directors of Global Partners: Running Waters. She joined the Board in May 2024. She also serves at Mount Mary University as the Vice President for Mission and Justice. As part of Mount Mary's leadership team, she leads the University in better understanding and applying the Mission in operations, culture, and strategic direction, particularly in areas of spirituality, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and social and environmental justice.
Dr. Stapleton has served in higher education for sixteen years as an instructor and administrator in universities and seminaries in Illinois, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Her role involves collaborating with other agencies and services to bring forth transformative change in the world, to educate the university community to better understand itself as change agents, and to empower students to lead with competence, not only in their professions but in their communities.
She has been in nonprofit administration and founded a nonprofit service organization. Her research has included several theological topics, including contextual theologies, social justice, and religious pluralism. Her most recent work explores Catholic Higher Education as it engages and responds to the needs of the time, the changing cultural and political landscape, and the changing diversity in students. She is passionate about bringing social justice and environmental justice awareness and action through the mission and ethos of higher education culture, pedagogy, and systems.
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Grace Avila joined the Board of Directors of Global Partners: Running Waters (GPRW) in 2022 and immediately took on the role as Chair of the GPRW Development Committee. In this role, she has demonstrated her versatility and expertise by writing and submitting a diverse range of grants. She has also drafted letters from the office of the GPRW president and played a key role in starting a program in Milwaukee schools that uses a bilingual book about a Honduran water activist to educate students about human rights and environmental activism. Grace was introduced to GPRW through the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), who hired her in 2019 as the Archives Assistant to work in the School Sisters of Notre Dame North American Archives, located at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee.
Grace’s influence extends beyond the board of GPRW. She is an active member of the SSND Shalom Peace and Nonviolence Committee and the SSND Milwaukee Women's Leadership Luncheon Committee. Her involvement in these committees reflects her commitment to the causes she believes in.
Grace’s academic journey is a testament to her dedication and passion. She graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2020 with a Bachelor's in History and Theology, a solid foundation that she brings to her roles.
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Theresa Lindberg serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for Global Partners: Running Waters. She is a sophomore at Mount Mary University, double majoring in English Literature and Spanish with a Justice minor and a Peacebuilding Certificate. She volunteers in the Milwaukee community throughout the school year. She also serves as an intern for the national organization NETWORK (A Catholic Social Justice Lobby).
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Following the presentation, the program will continue with:
The Annual Business Meeting of the UNA of Greater Milwaukee including:
Election of UNA-GM Board Members and Officers
Only active (paid-up) members of the UNA-GM Chapter are eligible to vote in this election.
Presentation of the UNA-GM financial report and proposed 2025 Budget
A report on the UNA-GM activities and program plans for 2025
Presentation of the UNA-GM financial report and proposed 2025 Budget
A time for announcements on community activities that support the mission of the United Nations Association of the United States
A description of the mission of the UNA-GM
Information about how to become a chapter member
Information about how to submit a nomination for becoming a member of the Board of Directors of the UNA of Greater Milwaukee