The women of St. James’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia, invite you to a transformative, two-day conference exploring themes of faith and the vital roles of women in the church and broader society.
Join us at our 2026 conference—One Body. We’re honored to feature internationally recognized author, activist, and speaker Lisa Sharon Harper as our keynote. Ms. Harper will guide us in exploring what it means to be One Body and how we can pursue God’s intent for wholeness in all relationships.
For questions or concerns, click here to contact us.
Lisa Sharon Harper
Ms. Harper is the author of several books, including the critically acclaimed The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right. Her much-anticipated book, Fortune: How Race Broke My Family And The World–And How To Repair It All, is now available! All WomanKind attendees will receive a copy of Fortune.
Ms. Harper’s work focuses on shalom and governance, racial and gender justice, climate change, and transformative civic engagement.
WomanKind is an ideal event for all women seeking to deepen their faith and amplify their impact. Since its inception in 2004, this conference has provided a crucial space for women to find inspiration, theological depth, and practical guidance on issues of faith, leadership, and their evolving roles in the world. After the cancellation of our 2020 event, we are excited to convene again for fellowship, growth, and community.
Schedule-
5:30 to 7:00 pm - Registration
6:00 pm - Welcome Reception
7:30 to 9:00 pm - Keynote from Lisa Sharon Harper
-
8:30 to 9:00 am - Registration
8:30 to 9:15 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - Keynote from Lisa Sharon Harper
11:15 am - Workshops Session 1
12:30 pm - Lunch & Book Signing
1:15 pm - Workshops Session 2
2:45 pm - Holy Eucharist & Healing Service
4:30 pm - Adjourn
Michele Fowlin
We are thrilled to announce that Michele Fowlin will be joining us as our worship leader. Michele is a conductor, educator, and ministry leader whose work brings together faith, artistry, and community formation. She currently serves as Artistic Director of Washington Performing Arts’ Children of the Gospel Choir and Associate Director of Music/Director of Contemporary Worship Music at Washington National Cathedral. Her musical journey began at age nine, when she was accepted into The Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division as a piano student. Although she did not accept the offer, she continued her piano studies under Randy Fagan, earning numerous awards and performing nationally before expanding her focus to voice and conducting. Ms. Fowlin earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Howard University, with a minor in piano.
Join us this April!
Workshops
-
Being Aware: A Meditation
Millie is a Mindfulness Meditation Facilitator who will lead a meditation workshop exploring being in the moment through very light, easy movement and stillness. Through this very simple practice, we can experience the underlying ground of being, the depth and peace that is our essence. If you’ve ever longed to connect with the deeper aspects of your being, to regulate your nervous system, and navigate life’s challenging and joyful moments with curiosity and a sense of ease—join us for this gentle introduction.
-
Personal, Communal, and Faithful Witness: Faith, Calling, and the Power of Your Story
Through the lens of one woman's personal journey into ministry, this workshop explores the winding road of answering God's call. From navigating sexism and ageism to the complexities of race and gender, balancing pastoral leadership with single parenthood, and leaning into the power of community and village, discover how faithful witness becomes an anchor through every season. Leadership lessons, hard-won wisdom, and honest conversation frame this transformative experience. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own stories and recognize how every chapter, the joyful and the painful, has been purposefully shaping their communal witness in each new season. The Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook is the Executive Director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.
-
Everyone Has a Role: Normalizing Breastfeeding as a Public Health Issue
Jarene is the State Breastfeeding Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Community Nutrition. Her workshop will discuss how breastfeeding is more than a personal or family decision—it is a public health issue that benefits the well-being of children, parents, and communities. This talk explores how shared values of care, dignity, and service can support breastfeeding as part of community health. Participants will learn why breastfeeding matters at the population level and how lay people can engage in respectful, nonjudgmental conversations that normalize breastfeeding, reduce stigma, and create more supportive environments within congregations and the wider community.
-
Raising Boys in Today’s World
Kim is the Director of The Center for the Study of Boys and Associate Head of the Upper School at St. Christopher’s.We recognize the headlines describing the challenges facing boys today in education, mental health, and social development. Boys and young men are navigating competing, confusing messages about modern manhood, often leading to fracture and discord in their own identities and a struggle to find their place. Her workshop provides parents and caregivers with a deeper, research-informed understanding of how boys think, feel, and learn. We will explore the developmental differences that influence their engagement, motivation, and emotional processing, moving beyond stereotypes to affirm the unique energy, sensitivity, and compassion inherent in boys. At the heart of every boy is a powerful desire for meaning and purpose—a yearning to find his essential role as a valued member of the larger community. Grounded in the theme of I Corinthians 12, this session explores how to support our boys in becoming the men God calls them to be within the one Body of Christ. By nurturing a boy’s innate desire for purpose, we equip him to recognize his essential connection to the whole, teaching him to see differences not as a source of division, but as the very structure that makes the Body complete. Participants will leave with practical strategies to channel boys’ energy, foster his sensitivity, and cultivate the compassion needed to honor the dignity of every human being, enabling him to use his gifts to serve others and build unity.
-
Reflecting on the Theme "One Body"
Lauranett is the Director of Race & Social Justice at Richmond Hill. Her workshop explores Womankind as a collective term for women and considers its limitations and opportunities in expressing shared human identity and respect for the diversity among us. Engaging the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which understands humanity as a relational and interdependent concept and practice, the session highlights how dignity, compassion, justice and mutual belonging shape communal life. The session focuses on how Richmond’s history has both hindered and evolved the concept of “one body” as it interprets the past and examines the present. The journey across time in the city of Richmond offers perspectives that illuminate a vision of humanity, amid inhumanity, formed not through sameness, but through interconnectedness and recognition of the diverse gifts inherent in One Body.
-
Partners in Hope: The Intersection of Faith & Science at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
Rachel is the Faith Liaison and Engagement Coordinator at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her session explores how the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and faith communities are joining forces to expand access to cancer education, screening, and testing - ultimately improving outcomes across diverse neighborhoods. Participants will learn how trusted faith leaders, community networks, and healthcare professionals are working together to break down barriers, increase early detection, and support individuals throughout the cancer journey. You’ll learn about the work of “Facts & Faith Fridays”, practical strategies and examine how this partnership model builds trust, reduces disparities, and brings lifesaving resources directly to the communities that need them most. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to strengthen collaboration, enhance outreach, and create a more equitable path to cancer prevention and care.
-
Aligning Faith & Data: How We Use Data to Build the Case for Empathy & Opportunity
Join us for an engaging session exploring the vital role of data in driving meaningful action in the Richmond community. As part of the RVA Rising initiative, learn how data-driven strategies are moving the needle on key community targets and promoting a collective call to action to serve our neighbors.Martha Shickle, Executive Director of PlanRVA, will guide attendees through a comprehensive analysis of regional data, illustrating how the democratization of data, building shared empathy, and evidence-based decision-making can help dismantle traditional biases and deepen understanding of how to foster economic mobility.
Participants will gain hands-on insights into using data to foster empathy and informed ministry, enhancing their capacity to discern and act as Christians in service to the greater Richmond area. This session promises a blend of rich data exploration and practical applications designed to inspire meaningful action and engagement. Join us as we transform numbers into narratives that empower communities and change lives.
Register TodayPlease review the workshops listed above before purchasing your ticket—you will be prompted to select your workshop preferences during registration. We ask that you register only one individual at a time as our registration form includes detailed preferences for each attendee.
With the hope of making WomanKind more accessible, we’re offering tiered pricing.
Additionally, if you’re interested in a complimentary ticket, please fill out this form.
$275$175$85 If you cannot attend, but would like to donate to WomandKind 2026, click here.
Partners with Pace
WomanKind is excited to partner with the Pace Center at VCU—an inclusive, interfaith campus ministry that empowers students as servant leaders. Pace celebrates every student’s unique story and gifts, fostering a community where no one has to live in isolation.
We invite all attendees to support the Pace Center through this year’s outreach project. You’re invited to bring items for our Exam Goodie Bags for VCU Students. We are collecting pencils, erasers, candy, granola bars, small water bottles, fruit snacks, gum, Tic Tacs, instant coffee packets, and tea bags.
By supporting Pace, we seek to embody what it means to be One Body—many members and many gifts, all working together so that every person can thrive.
We cannot wait to see you!April 24-25, 2026
St. James’s Episcopal Church
1205 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23220
Follow Us on Instagram & Facebook
Questions? Contact Us