Speaker Profile

Jessica Taylor

Jessica Taylor is a PhD candidate in Theology at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California. She did her B.A (Theology) at St. Paul’s and M.A at Ottawa. She graduated from The Pines in Chatham and the lessons of St.Angela Merici and the Ursulines are evident in her commitment to education and justice. To quote one of her teachers at St. Paul’s University, “She is under 25 and brilliant.”

In the last two years Jessica has made presentations at the Graduate Theological Union, Ottawa University and St. Paul’s University. At St. Paul’s Jessica was the coordinator of the university social justice group. Since her time at St. Paul’s she has been intimately involved in projects in Nyive, Ghana working with the Nyive Community Based Organization to plan, fundraise and build a library. She holds a permanent position, ”Queen Mother of the Youth in Nyive” and is responsible for promoting employment opportunities, education, community development and new income-generating strategies for the members of the village, primarily 16-50 years of age.

Jessica has participated in two annual Study Sessions at the United Nations that focus on a variety of themes pertaining to justice both locally and globally. During her time in Ottawa she facilitated Positive Space workshops for the University of Ottawa’s Center for Equity and Human Rights

Jessica brings to her presentations a commitment to social justice and feminist principles.

Not bad for “under 25” and a credit to her Vatican II inspired Ontario Catholic education.