Mrs. Dianne H. Battle

9th Episcopal District NGO Liaison

9thdistrictngo@wms-amec.org

Presiding Prelate - Bishop Harry L. Seawright

Episcopal Supervisor - Rev. Sherita Moon Seawright Episcopal WMS-AMEC President - Mrs. Susie Bonner

Alabama

Acknowledgement

On behalf of, “The Ninth Episcopal District Women’s Missionary Society,” under the capable leadership of the WMS President, Mrs. Susie Bonner, the Reverend Sherita Moon Seawright, WMS Supervisor, and Bishop Harry L. Seawright, Presiding Prelate, we make this NGO report. We salute our NGO Liaison Mrs. Dianne H. Battle, and our Conference Presidents: Mrs. Thomasine Jackson, Northwest Alabama; Mrs. Mattie M. Frizzell, Alabama River Region; Mrs. Dorothy Sconiers-Bevel, Southeast Alabama; Mrs. Stephanie Bender, Northeast Alabama Conference; and Mrs. Rosemary Lamar, Southwest Alabama Conference.

Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking is a clear and present danger to Alabama and its communities. Human trafficking cases have been reported across the state of Alabama. Cases have been reported in Montgomery County, Birmingham, Fort Payne, Madison County, Huntsville, Albertville, Guntersville, Dothan, Hale and Mobile. Nevertheless, just as is the case in many other states, Alabama includes interstate corridors that are conducive to “sex trafficking.” We are very much aware of the harmful effects on young girls and boys of all races and ethnicities. We are also aware of the lasting damage to the lives of young girls and boys that this world-wide problem has wrought. The tools of this illegal activity are in our backyards: the hotels and motels, major highways, schools, skating rinks, bowling alleys and any places that young people frequent can be targets for this illicit activity. To protect our youth, the Ninth Episcopal District WMS Episcopal Supervisor, the Reverend Sherita Moon Seawright, and Episcopal President, Mrs. Susie Bonner remains committed to helping to educate and inform. The rural areas of our state are just as susceptible and can sometimes fly under the radar longer. Our focus is to help eradicate this major problem in our cities, state, communities, homes, and in the world. Therefore, NGO representatives are key spokespersons and voices needed to assist in this effort and fight against this dreadful and painful thrust we continue to face every day.

In our efforts to educate and inform, the conferences have engaged professionals to conduct workshops. These were accomplished primarily on social media platforms because of the pandemic. To encourage safety, protection, and well-being for the vulnerable populations, we shared pamphlets and flyers with young people in our churches. Because we cannot afford to become lax in our vigilance and work to protect the young, the Ninth Episcopal District WMS will continue our efforts. Our mission is to make a difference. With God on our side, we can do just that…. make a difference. Although the COVID-19 Pandemic still introduces fears, misconceptions, and solitude in the lives of people worldwide, we remain focused on establishing goals for the local societies by spearheading the Bread for the World Letter Writing Campaign, End Fistula Campaign, Read Across America, and Go Red remain focused initiatives for all “Five Conferences” down to each local society within the WMS. To God be The Glory!

We Remain Faithful!