Dear Friends and Family,

Today, December 26—Boxing Day, a traditional day of giving and charity rooted in sharing with those in need—I re-gift this cherished memory of my late husband William and our time in India. In December 2013, William preached at the Garrison Church (Church of North India) in Camp Deolali, Nasik, during the Christmas Eve Night Watch Service. We came as goodwill ambassadors, finding common ground with Rev. Magda Kamble and the community there—building on our partnership, we came to profound mutual understandings of faith, justice, and the power of dialogue in conflict resolution.

Here is that heartfelt sermon from over a decade ago: https://youtu.be/HjB1MAVbncM

On this Boxing Day, I continue to be inspired by William’s ministry of peace, reconciliation, and the spirit of generous giving. We extend blessings to our fellow Americans and all people everywhere—may light overcome darkness, love unite us, and charity uplift those in need.

As we celebrate 20 years of Katrina’s Dream—founded to honor his mother Rev. Katrina Swanson of the Philadelphia Eleven—we continue the vital work for the Equal Rights Amendment. With 38 states having ratified, ongoing efforts seek to affirm its place as the 28th Amendment, ensuring constitutional equality regardless of sex.

Women still earn approximately 85 cents for every dollar men earn (Pew Research Center, 2024 data). The ERA’s foundational guarantee of equality remains essential to address persistent injustices in pay, opportunity, and dignity.

Our petition calling upon Senator Murkowski to circulate a Dear Colleague letter gains signatures every day. Add your name to the growing list of nationwide activists. Sign here.

Why now? In the spirit of Christ’s teachings on justice and mercy, we are called to uplift the vulnerable and affirm the God-given dignity of every person. As Scripture reminds us in Micah 6:8—“to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”—the Equal Rights Amendment embodies this divine mandate: a moral imperative to ensure equality under the law, reflecting the Gospel’s call to love our neighbor as ourselves and to protect the least among us. True Christian charity demands we pursue justice not as an option, but as a sacred gift of life abundant for all God’s children, especially women who bear disproportionate burdens yet contribute immeasurably to family, church, and society.

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• Unveiling Valor: Poetry and creative initiatives inspiring faith and action.

• Power of One: Advocacy for the ERA and protections for all.

• Bubble of Love: Interfaith efforts for peace and understanding.

• Justice Initiatives: Voices for fairness and labor rights.

Strong public support for equality endures, and our advocacy— at Verdi Square in NYC, to our weekly column, including events at the UN—continues to amplify this call.

Join the spirit of giving this Boxing Day: $20 for 20: Igniting Equality Donate securely. Share with your family and friends #20for20ERA #KatrinasDream #EqualityForAll #BoxingDayGiving. Click here to Donate.

Blessed Boxing Day—may your generosity bring hope and justice in the new year!

Love and Light,

Helene de Boissiere-Swanson