Announcing the Lavona Grow Fund: Carrying Forward a Legacy of Courageous UU Advocacy
Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) is honored to announce the launch of the UUSJ Lavona Grow Fund, a new initiative created to carry forward the bold, values-rooted advocacy that defined Lavona Grow’s life and leadership. Lavona passed away in January 2026, and this fund reflects our commitment to keeping her spirit of grounded, justice-driven leadership shaping UUSJ’s future. (Wondering about her passion and impact, see comments here.)
Lavona—co-founder of UUSJ, longtime Board Chair, and architect of our Capitol Hill Advocacy Corps—brought uncommon clarity, curiosity, and moral courage to every facet of her work.
Her decades of public service included leadership at Common Cause of Indiana, government relations work at George Washington University, federal service at the U.S. Department of Education, and a pivotal role as a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Capitol Hill Lobby Corps, where she volunteered as a lobbyist beginning in 1986.
Lavona was a strategic force behind national UU advocacy efforts, shaping programs like our UUSJ Write Here! Write Now! letter-writing program and elevating UU voices on issues of climate, immigration, democracy, and economic justice.
The Lavona Grow Fund strengthens UUSJ’s capacity to do what Lavona modeled so powerfully:
- Build national advocacy coalitions
- Train and equip UU advocates across the country
- Advance environmental and economic justice
- Support strategic initiatives that grow the UU justice ecosystem
This fund reflects Lavona’s belief that advocacy is both a moral calling and a teachable skill—and that UUs can and must show up with courage, competence, and compassion in moments of national consequence.
As we launch this fund, we honor Lavona’s memory by investing in the future she envisioned: a vibrant, prepared, values-driven corps of UU advocates making meaningful progress at the federal and state levels.
We invite you to join us in celebrating Lavona’s legacy and supporting the work that will continue in her name.