Mary Beth Lerner grew up in a household committed to social justice or as she put it “it was the air I breathed.” For many years social justice work took a back burner to an acting career in New York followed by teaching high school English and raising three children in the DC area. Attending an anti-racist Jubilee training at all Souls UU in DC was a profoundly meaningful experience that created a desire for more. Luckily, her commute to yoga practice took her right by UUCSS. After attending for a few months, she became a member in 2017 and quickly joined our Racial Justice Task Force. This is Mary Beth’s touchstone, a place for becoming whole and working towards beloved community.She is especially excited about the upcoming work on the 8th Principle and supporting that work in whatever she can.
While racial justice is her primary driver, Mary Beth has worked extensively in other areas. She is active in the Defending Democracy Task Force. She is currently co-chair of the Membership Committee. She works on Dorothy Hale’s Sunday support team, has been an annual budget drive steward and helped out at the auction. A particularly meaningful activity has been participating in Soul Matters, a group that goes deeper into monthly worship topics. In the current crisis, she is working with UUCSS Outreach helping those of us in need. When asked why she volunteers, Mary Beth said that volunteering started out as a way to meet people but soon evolved into an opportunity for learning and growing from the amazing people at UUCSS; expanding her knowledge of UUism and UUCSS; and stretching herself, sometimes in very uncomfortable ways, while deepening spiritually, ethically, and personally. We are all glad she stopped by on her way to yoga class.