Ephemera displayed on a table. Two pins with the nonbinary symbol and the edges of pamphlets about the Pauli Murray Center.

Mission and Vision

  • Mission

    The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice lifts up the life and legacy of activist, legal scholar, feminist, poet, and Episcopal priest, the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, in order to address enduring inequities and injustices.

  • Vision

    To realize a world in which wholeness is a human right for all and not the privilege of a few, the Pauli Murray Center actively works toward fairness and justice across race, class, sexuality, gender, and spiritual practice. We embrace the transformative power of collecting and telling our stories to heal and promote human rights.

Values

  • Details matter.

    How people feel cared for matters. Relationships matter. 

  • Consider the impact.

    We strive to consider the impact of decisions on all the communities to whom we are accountable, communities that could identify with Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray in some way.

  • Give the work the time that is needed.

    Faster is not always the highest priority or better than thorough. 

  • Work to bring all of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray all of the time.

    Strive to embrace the wholeness of people. 

  • Everyone has something to contribute:

    a story, a way of seeing, an experience, a ritual, a pearl of wisdom. 

  • Convening people is important and it is a core competencies that we cultivate

    Our job isn’t to be the experts. Our job is to be the inspiration, the container builder, the supporter. We all benefit when we practice community.

  • Encourage others to trust their experience and bring their truths.

    As we strive to lead, remember we can only teach what we’ve already learned.

  • We strive to always be learning.

    One of Pauli’s strongest gifts is strategy, and it came from reflecting on what worked and what didn’t. Pauli was a lifelong learner.

  • Make up language when what you have doesn’t work.

    Bravely create frameworks and strategies even if they are new and untested. Try out ideas/strategies even if you fail.