Every year this list comes out listing 10 Pagans who I
highly respect for their service to the Pagan Community. Each year as the author I strive to
list those individuals who I believe have had the most impact on our community.
The list is subjective, yet I
strive to not only list those who I “like” or have relationships with, but
instead those whose contributions are beyond question. So here is my annual list. Who would be on your list? Feel free to
comment!
10.
Phaedra Bonewits
Anyone who follows Pagan social media will be aware of the
voice of Phaedra Bonewits. Over
the course of this year I have seen many examples of her wisdom, grace and
willingness to participate in important and sometimes divisive conversations. She makes this list because her voice
is always the voice of the wise elder, calling me to deeper contemplation and
insight. I value our Pagan elders
and believe that Phaedra stands as a great example of what an elder should be
in our community.
9.
Sharon Knight
Too many years have gone by without this list featuring a
Pagan musician. Music feeds an inner need for joyful expression and represents
an important aspect of our developing Pagan culture. This is music that moves me as a Pagan and I am also in deep
awe of her talent and willingness to participate in the community. Sharon Knights’ long-term contributions
to our community deserve recognition and make her a Pagan who belongs on this
list of top ten Pagans.
8.
Christine Hoff Kraemer
Paganism is all about honoring diversity. Christine’s’
efforts as the Managing Editor of the Pagan Portal at Patheos are a deep
reflection of this diversity. By
making room for more diverse voices at Patheos she has deeply influenced my
personal awareness of Pagan diversity.
Further, her ability to do so without being drawn into the various
“eruptions” in the world of Pagan blogging establishes her as an incredibly
talented editor and leader within our community. I am thrilled to have her on this years list.
7.
Erick DuPree
Trust in a Pagan leader can often be determined via their
willingness to publicly share their personal process and struggles. If there is currently a voice in the
Pagan community that best represents this principle of authenticity it is
Eric. His compassion based process
has had a major impact on both my personal practice and on many other Pagans I
know. Eric’s profound, honest and
compassion based insights have earned him a place among the Pagans who made a difference
in 2014
6.
Sam Webster
Sam has long been an important voice in our community. His
efforts this year in providing leadership with the Pantheon Foundation are benefiting
the entire community. Suddenly
significant efforts in the community have the ability to move forward with
accountability, support and wise counsel.
Building Pagan infrastructure that lasts has always been
challenging. Sam’s’ efforts may
well turn out to be one of the most significant developments within our
community in many years. Sam I congratulate
you for your real world efforts and willingness to do the hard work within our
community.
5.
Crystal Blanton
No list of Pagans who made a difference in 2014 would be
complete without the presence of Crystal Blanton. Her contributions to the communities understanding of social
justice issues cannot be overstated. She leads the hard conversations that call
all of us to a deeper understanding of the experiences of people of color in
our community. While we don’t
always agree, I am in awe of her passion, commitment and willingness to engage
in manifesting a community where diversity is our strength. Her tireless efforts place her squarely
on this list of Pagans who made a difference in 2014.
4.
Cara Schulz
Wow, the list is long if one intends to cover Cara’s
contributions to Paganism. This year I have been most impressed with her run
for City Council. By believing
that Pagans have a place in government and putting that belief into practice
Cara demonstrated to all Pagans that we have arrived at the doorstep of representative
government. Cara’s run for office stands as an example of a community member
“walking their talk” in 2014. In
addition, her grace and wise actions in response to an individual attempting to
make her beliefs an issue in the race represent the application of wisdom and
compassion in the face of hatred.
Cara, frankly, you impress me!
3.
Jason from The Wild Hunt
There is now way to measure the contributions Jason has made
to our community. This year I was
impressed in how Jason handled the transitions at the Wild Hunt. For many years the community has had
concerns about succession planning for major Pagan Organizations. Jason, to his credit, was able though
skill and wisdom, to establish a road map for succession. Pagan organizations take note, it is
this kind of fore thought and planning that insures the health of our community
for decades to come. Please join
me in thanking Jason for his leadership, skills and service to our
community. If there were such a
thing as a Pagan Hero, I would nominate Jason for the honor!
2.
Ivo Dominguez Jr.
In activism, it is always tempting to move from one popular
cause to another as time passes.
Few individuals have the dogged determination to take on a project that
many see as “undoable”. Ivo has
done just that, with his unwavering efforts in manifesting the New Alexandrian
Library. This is no small task,
building real infrastructure that will last for generations. In this library a legacy has been
manifested for Pagans around the world. It is an outstanding accomplishment that will benefit the
entire community. Let me also say
that there were many people involved in these efforts, but being a list of “Ten
Pagans” Ivo gets the nod for this effort.
I suspect he will share the recognition around widely. The Pagan community will be
filled with gratitude of their own for decades to come.
And at the number spot on the list of Ten Pagans Who Made a Difference
in 2014 is:
1.
Courtney Weber
Rarely is there a voice in our community that calls me to a
deep place in considering the very foundations of the Paganism I believe in; Courtney
Weber has such a voice. Her passionate environmental participation has deeply
called me to be grounded in the earth and the need to protect that from which I
sprang. Intelligent, eloquent,
focused and authentic are a few words that express how I feel when engaging
with her. Pagans would be well
advised to pay attention to this voice among us. Simply stated, I believe her to be the best of what we have
to offer as a community. It is my
hope her passionate participation continues for decades.
So feel free to post your own list of Pagans you think are doing great things. We have many great community members!
2 comments:
Pagans that made a difference or Wiccans that made a difference? Not a single Heathen in the bunce, I guess we do nothing......
You might want to check the list again they are not all Wiccan or neo Pagan!
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