
Who We Are
New York Unitarian Universalist Justice - State Advocacy Network
Our Vision
As UUs, we envision a Beloved Community that cultivates systems based in justice, equity, and compassion where all New Yorkers thrive
Our Mission
Building Justice and Power in New York together we: 
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Connect Unitarian Universalists with one another and with partners who share our values
Learn from those most engaged in the struggle for justice and follow their lead
Activate collective power to advocate for a just New York.

Our History
NYUUJ is the Unitarian Universalist successor to Interfaith Impact of NYS, an interdenominational organization founded in 1995. Interfaith Impact forged a record as a progressive moral voice in Albany and served as New York's UU state advocacy network.
NYUUJ Board of Directors
Rev. Peggy Clarke (she/her) (Chair) began her ministry at Community Church of New York the summer of 2019. Previously she served as solo minister at the First Unitarian Society of Westchester in Hastings on Hudson for eight years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and Peace Studies and a Masters in Historical Theology from Boston College. Her doctoral work was in American Religious History. Rev. Clarke has served on the board of the UUA’s climate justice initiative Commit2Respond, the UU Environmental Justice Collaboratory and as chair of the UU Food Justice Ministry. She was one of the denomination's Observer Delegates at the 2015 United Nations Climate Summit in Paris, represented our denomination at Standing Rock and most recently at the Mexican American border, calling attention to the crisis of separated families.
Claire Deroche (she/her) (Secretary) is the Social Justice Coordinator for the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset. Claire supports congregational justice initiatives and collaborates with local faith communities and grassroots organizations to involve UUCSR in the concerns of the wider community. For the last eight years, with members of the congregation, she has worked with the Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement (CAIC) to advocate for the passage of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act. Previously, Claire worked as a teacher, religious education professional, and volunteer director at Catholic parishes and non-profits in Maine and New York. While teaching in Maine in the 1980s, she was state coordinator for NETWORK, the Catholic Social Justice Lobby. From 1986 to 1992 she served with the Maryknoll Sisters in La Paz, Bolivia. Claire has an MA in Biblical Studies from Providence College.
Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson (she/her) serves as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork, on Long Island in Bridgehampton. Kimberly serves on the Organizing Collective Board for BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism). Kimberly also serves as co-chair of the UUA Appointments Committee and is a member of the Steering Committee for UU Class Conversations, and the Board of Trustees of the UU Women's Federation. She gets to work at the nexus of faith formation, youth ministry, and racial justice as a Program Leader with the UU College of Social Justice. And she's likely to be spending her summer working with youth through UU Summer Seminary, FaithLab, or Thrive, leadership experiences for youth of color.
Peggy Sherman (she/her) (Treasurer) is a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany and a past board member of Interfaith Impact of New York State. She served as president of the Albany congregation from 2013-16, led the team responsible for the congregation’s 2009 strategic plan, and currently serves on the Ministries and Operations Team. After earning an MBA at Cornell University, Peggy held senior level public policy and financial management positions in several New York State agencies as well as the State Assembly.
Rev. Dr. Audette Fulbright (she/they) is the Associate Minister of All Souls New York City. In 2016 the Rev. Dr. Audette Fulbright became the first woman ever called directly to the pulpit of All Souls NYC. Ordained in 2001, she has served congregations in the South, on the West Coast, in the mid-West, and now in New York City. A graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry, her ministerial specialties include: the health of congregations, the development of ministers in formation, preaching and writing, and social justice. She has served in racial reconciliation and conflict resolution work for individuals and communities for over 15 years, and was delighted to perform the first LGBTQ marriage in Wyoming. She writes a well-regarded social media daily prayer series, and leads on the development of modern tools for the modern church.
NYUUJ Staff
Rev. Ashley DeTar Birt (she/her) is the Program Manager for NYUUJ. She also serves as the Co-Director of The Center for Jubilee Practice and is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Ashley obtained her Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, an MA in Theater Arts from the University of Pittsburgh, and a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University. An outspoken advocate for youth ministry and social justice, Ashley has worked as a youth leader, Children, Youth and Family Pastor, and artistic and justice minister. She has participated in a variety of justice based committees and task forces in her denomination. Ashley lives in New York City with her wife Emily, who is a UU minister.