Bringing Inclusive, Affirming, & Anti-Racist Sex Ed to Dallas | Sherri Cook | Tiny Pulpit Talks: 012

Unitarian Universalist Sermons and Conversations from First Unitarian Church of Dallas

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald welcomes Sherri Cook, Executive Director of Wholly Informed Sex Ed (WISE) for a conversation about inclusive and affirming sexuality education, literacy about our emotions and our body, and helping youth to grow into sexually healthy adults. 00:00 - Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald welcomes Sherri Cook, Executive Director of WISE 01:00 - What is WISE and how did it get started? 04:30 - Creating innovative and updated sex ed curriculum 05:42 - The Question Box 06:39 - Media, body, and emotional literacy 09:28 - Feedback from WISE participants 10:45 - How to learn more about WISE WISE was created in response to a desire to live our Unitarian Universalist values in the community, and to answer the need for life-saving human sexuality education in schools and neighborhood spaces outside the church. To date, WISE has reached over 500 students with multi-session workshops. Wholly Informed Sex Ed partners with over 20 youth-serving organizations throughout the city and continues to grow. Sherri Cook is the Executive Director of Wholly Informed Sex Ed (WISE), a non-profit community outreach program originating in First Unitarian Church of Dallas. An experienced educator, Cook holds a BS in Advertising from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Humanities from the University of Dallas. She has been active in Dallas volunteering and non-profit board leadership for over 30 years, with a focus on reproductive dignity and academic freedom. She served as chair of the board for First Unitarian for two years and co-chaired the most recent capital campaign. She and her husband Tom raised their daughter Jane in the church, and as a family they are involved in many activities at First U. Tiny Pulpit Talks is a podcast series from First Unitarian Church of Dallas that takes a behind-the-scenes look at ministry from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. This is a rare opportunity to see what goes into crafting meaningful and inspirational sermons, learn how worship comes together each Sunday, and explore the many facets of spiritual leadership. Subscribe to get updates about new episodes here on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. 🌎 Join our global movement of truth, justice, and love. No matter where you are in the world, we invite you to be a part of our community. Fill out a welcome card at the following link and we'll be in touch with resources to get started: Make your 2024 pledge here: First Unitarian Church of Dallas is devoted to genuine inclusion, depth and joy, reason and spirit. We have been a voice of progressive religion in Dallas since 1899, working toward a more just and compassionate world in all of what we do. We hope that when you come here your life is made more whole through experiences of love and service, spiritual growth, and an open exploration of the divine. Learn more at New sermon every week. Subscribe here: Follow us on Instagram: Follow us on Facebook: Watch the livestream on Sundays at 9:30am, 11am, & 7pm CST: Give - your support allows us to transform lives and make UU values real in our community and beyond: