Camp News

Silver Chalice Award!
Received December 2008
Our Dearest Andrea Gibbs,

The Biloxi Pagan Pride Project is very pleased to announce that Camp Sister Spirit Folk School, is the recipient of the 2008 Biloxi Pagan Pride 'Silver Chalice' award, for the selfless dedication to providing charity, education and assistance to anyone that is in need… and for being a champion to those who have needed one. It is the mission of the Pagan Pride Project 'to foster pride in Pagan identity through education, activism, charity and community.' We try to keep our purpose balanced through the inspirations of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.

In many Pagan beliefs the Chalice is associated with the element of Water, which is used for healing, cleansing, and purification, and is associated with passion and emotion. The Chalice represents the subconscious, along with nurturing, abundance, movement and transformation. The "Silver Chalice" is acknowledgement of the many years of continual service, education and generosity offered to anyone, in any community, without prejudice! This year it is dedicated, with love and respect, to the memory of the founder of an amazing legacy of hope, Brenda Henson, and the champion of her legacy, Andrea Gibbs.

There simply aren't words that will ever express the respect that the Board of Directors of the Biloxi Pagan Pride Project has for the work done over the years by the people that are Camp Sister Spirit, and the whole community of people that supports her. The mission of Camp Sister Spirit Folk School truly represents what is the very best of what is valued most by so many Pagan paths & traditions. We are truly honored, and sincerely privileged to have Camp Sister Spirit as our 2008 charity, and hope for many more years as partners in our fight for equality for all.

Received October 2008
Dear Ms. Andie Henson,
On behalf of the V To The Tenth Leadership Awards Committee, we extend congratulations to you on being selected to receive a V-Day Leadership Award in the amount of $8,000 for the exemplary role you have played as a women s leader in your community.
This award was created to acknowledge individual women and a few organizations in the Gulf South that work to ensure an end to the physical, economic and environmental violence against women and girls in the region. In granting you this award, we are honored to recognize you for your contribution to your own community through your work with Camp Sister Spirit Folk School. You have embodied V-Day s model of empowerment philanthropy and we hope that you will utilize this award to support your reflection and growth as a leader first but also the work to which you are so dedicated. Our intent is to assist you in your efforts to continue to transform your community and the people around you. This is part of the lasting influence we can contribute to the ongoing work of the Gulf South.
Once again, we congratulate you for this acknowledgment and an award well earned. Thank you for your passion and commitment to your community. We salute your distinguished leadership as a woman and your tireless commitment to the women in your community.
Warm Regards,
V To The Tenth Leadership Awards Committee
Carol Bebelle; Sara Blakely; Eve Ensler; Crystal Kile;
Nsombi Lambright; Cecile Lipworth; Yvahn Martin; Colette Pichon-Battle;
Dr. Kimberley Richards; Karel Sloane; Linda Usdin

With Sadness

Hello Friends, Family and Folks,

Brenda Henson passed into another realm and began a new adventure, February 8th, 2008, ten minutes shy of Midnight. Our Sacred Land and all her inhabitants mourn the loss but rejoice in her reunion with so many loved ones she has joined.

Friday Wanda Henson, her partner of 23 years, said "No one is perfect, but she's been perfect for me." They were married in Massachusetts on their 20th anniversary.

Brenda and Wanda founded Camp Sister Spirit, a feminist educational retreat in Jones County, Mississippi. Their work, and the hardships which they overcame were the subject of national news during the mid-1990s, drawing the attention of Attorney General Janet Reno, who sent the Department of Justice resources to their defense.

Learn more about Brenda, Wanda, and the history of Camp Sister Spirit Folk School at the following link:
http://www.campsisterspirit.com/brenda_henson_obit.htm

The Regional GLBT Activist and Allies Summit will be held in Brenda Henson's honor at Camp Sister Spirit Folk School, April 18th & 19th, 2008.

Please consider supporting the ongoing work Camp Sister Spirit Folk School during this difficult time with a donation in memory of Brenda Henson. The Camp is still physically recovering and dealing with bills from Hurricane Katrina.


Respectfully and with MUCH love,

Andie Gibbs-Henson, M. Ed.

Camp Sister Spirit Folk School
www.campsisterspirit.com

Please send this out to folks who have been following Mom's progress.