Staff
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Executive director Rhoda Keener works from her woods-encircled home in Shippensburg, Pa. She has served as executive director for Mennonite Women USA since the fall of 2000. Prior to that she worked as a mental health therapist in Pa. and Ind., and a mental health administrator at Oaklawn in Goshen, Ind. She also taught high school English and developed a learning support program at Bethany Christian High School.
Rhoda earned her undergraduate degree in English from Goshen College, an M.S. in mental health counseling from St. Francis University, Fort Wayne; and a Certificate in Theology from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind.
She co-edited with Mary Swartley the book, She Has Done a Good Thing: Mennonite Women Leaders Tell Their Stories, Herald Press, 1999. Rhoda and her husband Bob are parents of three adult children and grandparents of three little boys. See Rhoda's travel schedule to find out when she will be in your area. Contact Rhoda |
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timbrel Editor Patricia Burdette edits timbrel magazine and the annual Bible Study Guide from her organic farmette in Butler, Ohio, where she lives in an extended family setting.
Patty served as the Editorial Advisory Council Representative on the MW USA board and on the board of Ohio Mennonite Women before becoming MW USA editor in the spring of 2008 when she retired from teaching English at Bluffton University, Bluffton, Oh. Patty has also taught Rhetoric, Literature, Sociology and American Indian Studies courses at the Oglala Lakota College, North Central State College, and the Ohio State University. Before teaching, she worked as a public relations and financial development executive.
She earned her undergraduate degree from the Ohio State University, and her MA and PhD degrees in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences from the Union Institute, Cincinnati, Oh. Patty and her family served for six years with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada and for an additional six years with MCC US, all in Indigenous communities.
Patty wrote the 2008 Bible Study Guide Your Treasure Your Heart: Women and the Stewardship of Money and has had numerous articles published in magazines and journals. She and her husband, Rob, are the parents of five adult children and nine grandchildren. Contact Patty |
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Administrative assistant Berni Kaufman keeps the Mennonite Women USA office in Newton, Kansas running smoothly. Berni received her bachelor’s degree in education from Bethel College and taught five years in elementary grades. She attended Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind. and has served in both the Mennonite church and Church of the Brethren.
In the fall of 2004 Berni came to work for MW USA combining her passion to educate with her love for the church. Berni is a resident of Moundridge, Kansas and works one day a week at the Moundridge Public Library. She enjoys walking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Contact Berni |
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Project/volunteer coordinator Lois Loflin also works from the Newton office. Lois is a graduate of Bethel College with a Master's Degree from Wichita State University. She taught high school English for 31 years. Before coming to MW USA, she edited the Western District Conference newsletters for three years and the South Central Conference newsletters for four years.
She and her husband James live in Halstead, KS, and are active in church and community activities. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their two children and four grandchildren. Contact Lois |
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