For our November Freethinker Forum, AAHS is honored to welcome Vanessa Gomez Brake, Associate Dean of Religious Life at USC and recipient of the 2019 UU Humanist Association’s Person of the Year Award! 

Vanessa is the first humanist chaplain to serve in her capacity at any American university. In her role, she works to support and promote university religious and spiritual life broadly conceived, and helps oversee more than 90 student religious groups and 50 religious directors on campus. She also provides confidential counseling and support to immigrant and international students. 

Vanessa received the Person of the Year award at the UU Humanist Association’s annual meeting at UU General Assembly in Spokane, WA in June. The UUHA board has roundly expressed gratitude for Vanessa’s role in higher learning, which reaffirms the value humanism brings to any spiritually and religiously diverse community. Amanda Poppei, President of the UUHA, frames Vanessa’s work and role on even grander terms. “Vanessa’s work as the first-ever humanist university religious affairs official highlights the growth of humanism as a core part of America’s religious landscape,” Poppei said.

Awarded annually, the UU Humanist Association Person of the Year Award honors individuals whose work affirms, promotes, and advances the ideals of Humanism within the Unitarian Universalist Association or in society at large. It recognizes leadership and effort in promoting values reflected in the UU Humanist Association’s Mission.

All are welcome to join us for a lively discussion!