For the day #9 of the Women's History Month project, I would like to introduce to you this fabulous woman
Meet Barbara Anderson, 61, a woman of faith, wife and mom, former Harvard Department administrator, and Founder of the non-profit organization, All Hands In, working with women survivors of Human Trafficking.
She strives to make a difference in the world using her voice for women whose voices are not heard.
Barbara was born in Natick, MA and when she 2 years old, she moved to Peekskill, New York and lived there until she was 11. Her family then moved to Arlington, MA where she lived until 2020 when she moved to Brunswick, ME. The constant place in her family’s life was Ocean Park, Maine where they spent their summers since the late 1950’s.
She received a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministries from Gordon College, Wenham, MA in 1996 and her Masters in Education from Gordon College in 2008.
For 35 years she worked as an administrator in various departments at Harvard University. The last department where she worked was the Department of Chemistry where she loved working with graduate students, post docs and the faculty.
Through all of life’s challenges, up and downs, it has been Barbara’s faith in God that has seen her through it all. She was diagnosed with infertility when she was trying to start a family and had two miscarriages. When they decided to adopt, they flew to China to bring home their baby girl. Going to a foreign country to bring home a child was definitely a life challenge. Last year while caring for her 93 year old mother, she was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. She had a lumpectomy and radiation treat and is very grateful to be cancer free.
There are several life achievements that she is proud that she has accomplished. Being a mom and raising her daughter is number one. Graduating from college with a Bachelor’s degree and then a Master of Education was an important accomplishment for her and her parents who didn’t have the opportunity to go to college. She was also elected to serve as National President of American Baptist Women’s Ministries for a three year term. This gave her an opportunity to empower women to use their voices to lift up women’s issues. She also started a non-profit organization called, All Hands In, working with women survivors of Human Trafficking.
One of her passions is cooking and baking. She loves to bake for others, especially cookies. A recent passion has become her flower garden that she started when she moved to Maine. Getting her hands dirty and being out in the fresh air she feels close to God. Walking the beach when it is quiet and peaceful and is good for the soul. It’s where she feels closet to God and hears him the best. Her other passion is to speak on women’s issues and share the vulnerabilities of human trafficking and exploitation of women and girls.
Barbara values her faith and her family most in her life. Working in the church and All Hands in with her husband and daughter has been very important to her and her family. Serving others and putting our faith into action is important to share with others and to make a difference in the world. Caring for her mom, Florence, the last couple of years of her life was a gift and a privilege. Her mom was a quiet spirit and a mentor to her.
Advice for other women:
"You have a voice and you need to use it for those who have no voice. Each persons voice is as important as the next persons. You may think that one voice cannot be heard but if you put all of our voices together we will be heard."
Here is another one of Barbara's favorite quotes:
“…If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20“
*****
#whm #womenshistorymonthproject #womansupportingwomen #womenempowerment #mainephotographer
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