About The Grail

The Grail- Women of Spirit, Working for Change

Vision Statement: The Grail is an international, interfaith women's movement committed to spiritual search, social transformation, ecological sustainability and release of women's energy throughout the world. We are bonded in action, solidarity, and faith, working in 20 countries as individuals and Grail groups interconnecting regionally, nationally and internationally. Called by our spiritual values, The Grail envisions a world of peace, justice and the renewal of the earth; brought about by women working together as catalysts for change.

Since its inception in the Netherlands in 1921, the Grail has pioneered innovative grassroots programs to express our vision of worldwide political, social, and environmental transformation through women? leadership. An international, intercultural, ecumenical movement today located in eighteen countries, we are inspired by our faith to transform the world into a place of peace and justice We have a uniquely holistic approach, recognizing the interrelatedness of such seemingly disparate issues as peace, social justice, economic self-sufficiency, spirituality, and environmental sustainability.

The Grail is an international network, each group directed locally by women indigenous to the country. It is uniquely positioned to act at the local level to effect global change. We value our diversity, while supporting each other's work across international boundaries. We consult on the United Nations Committee on the Status of Women as a non-governmental organization. To offer alternatives to existing economic and cultural paradigms, the Grail has:

• Developed tools to train individuals to organize and advocate for change when their communities are affected by economic and environmental exploitation.
• Committed to modeling responsible and ethical use of resources.
• Educated communities and individuals to enable them to make responsible, sustainable, and ethical choices for positive change.
• Fostered spiritual renewal and dialogue for those attending our retreats and conferences, creating deep and lasting connections.

Just a few of the programs Grail members have created and implemented in the United States and internationally in recent years include:

• Umsinsi Wokuzimilela/Women? Leadership & Training, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa: This project promotes human development and natural resource management in five impoverished areas targeting Zulu youth. The project helps young women and men to develop environmental rehabilitation projects and cultural projects to restore the dignity of the community and heal the land. Project components include environmental education, Permaculture design workshops, trail building and maintenance, and reclaiming the local !Kung heritage. Youth also attended the World Summit on sustainable development in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002.
  
  
• Training for Community Transformation, Various locations: A training program in this community organizing methodology helps participants to acquire skills to empower their communities to identify needs and work in a participative process to meet those needs. Grail members have implemented the program with success in locations as diverse as urban South Africa, rural Brazil and Kenya, and the Bronx, New York.
  
  
• San Jose Grail Development Corporation, San Jose, California: In 1993 the Grail facilitated a community process that resulted in the construction and sale of 35 units of affordable housing for low-income families in predominantly Hispanic San Jose, California, on property formerly owned by the Grail. Centers onsite serve the surrounding community and partners with 21 agencies to provide cooperative childcare, English as a Second Language education, literacy and computer training classes, health education, and support groups for local women.
  
  
• Wastewater Environmental Treatment (WET) Program, Loveland, Ohio, U.S.: Grail women created an alternative wastewater management wetlands project at Grailville Center in Ohio. It serves as model, educational center, and living laboratory for community demonstration and education on environmental sustainability for over 10,000 annual visitors, students, and community residents. A wetland system, constructed for on-site sewage treatment within a native prairie leach field, has now been functioning for two years on a water-saving infrastructure (see attached materials).
  
  
• Women of the Americas, Various Locations: For over 10 years, the Grail has sponsored this program to facilitate a Northern/Southern Hemisphere dialogue and strategizing project on cross-border issues regarding immigration, global trade agreements, and community and economic development. The project brings women together across culture, class, and race to learn skills to effectively advocate for poor and marginalized communities throughout the hemisphere.

The Grail

A Symbol of Mystery
The Divine in the Human
The Human in the Divine
God Among Us
The Cup
Wide
Open
Receiving
Holding Sharing
Shaping the Quality of our Lives
Our Oneness with the Earth
Our Response to the World

For more information about the Grail visit: www.grail-us.org