About Me

So that you know where I’m coming from, I’ve created this page to air out all my personal biases.

I am fortunate enough to be married to the greatest guy in the world, Graeme. He and I have two darling daughters.

I graduated from the University of Waterloo with my BA in History, where I focused on what textiles and fashion throughout history can tell us about the people who have come before us (material culture) and on human rights.  I especially enjoy applying this to race relations and cross cultural understanding. How did the quilts made by enslaved African women reflect the interaction of traditional African designs sewn into the American medium of the quilt? What does this tell us about the relationship between enslaver and enslaved? Etc.

I am currently working on (and almost done) my Masters of Theological Studies, focusing on interfaith dialogue and faith based attire. In September, 2012, I’ll start my PhD in Religious Studies, where I will focus on Catholic, Mennonite and Muslim veiling practices in Canada.

I am a Mennonite, and as a family we attend Rockway Mennonite Church.  There is a false belief out there that in order to get along, we must all water down our beliefs to some lowest common denominator. Peace comes when we can allow others to come as they are, and accept them as different, without trying to change them to our way of thinking. I have found my faith as a Christian constantly deepen through conversations with people of other religions. And yet, the truest form of dialogue requires a willingness on the part of each participant to be radically changed. If you are not able to open yourself up to that change, you cannot truly respect or engage your dialogue partner. I hope this blog will foster that very sort of dialogue.