Name: Emily Smith, Communications Co-ordinator.
Tell us a bit about you: As Communications Co-ordinator, I look after our website and social media channels, write blog posts, create online content and market our communities, events and courses. I am originally from York but moved to Leeds 9 years ago. I live in West Leeds with my husband and four children, not far from Headingley, which is a childhood dream as pre-kids I was a home and away Rhinos fan!
Is there an area of activism you feel particularly passionate about? I have a real passion for the rights of women and girls. I wholeheartedly believe that God made man and woman to live together as equals, and it both saddens and frustrates me that there are so many parts of the world where women’s opportunities are limited in both overt and subtle ways.
What do you do to care for your wellbeing? I love a hot bath but I think that is as much about an environment of warmth and calm as anything else! Reading a book, meditation, making space for prayer and reading my Bible all contribute to my better days.
Which song do you most remember from school? “He’s got the whole world in His hands” and “Cauliflowers Fluffy”, they still pop in my head from time to time!
What does your faith mean to you? My faith has always allowed me to be myself, and do what I think is the right thing and not just the popular or obvious thing. Knowing that I am accepted and loved as I am has given me courage and comfort in times when I’ve felt like I didn’t fit in, and it’s also empowered me to be bold, I suppose, in some of my bigger life choices. It keeps me going when life gets hard!