In 2013, the Washington Post wrote a piece commemorating this organization’s 50th anniversary. It concluded with our former president saying, “It is a different world since Madalyn, and it’s a different world because of Madalyn.” We’ve now celebrated our 60th year, and those words are still true—maybe even truer—today.
When we started this process, we were intentional about doing things differently—not only because this organization is one-of-a-kind but because the landscape we’re operating in is fundamentally different. Our country has changed, our community has grown, and so, too, must we change and grow.
There’s no doubt Madalyn Murray O’Hair was masterful at capturing the media’s attention. But meeting the challenges we face today and anticipating the ones we’ll face tomorrow requires us to invest in new ways of reaching more people, and inspiring more action than ire. We must focus on building a relatable, coalitional, and functional infrastructure to effect change.
Let me assure you: This plan is far more than just words on a page.
As a woman, an atheist, and a longtime LGBTQ+ advocate, it was important to me that our planning process engage a group as diverse as our secular community—not only including our thousands of members and dozens of allied organizations but also the critics and detractors that weren’t in the same room, let alone in our corner.
Why? Because it will take every one of us to overcome what’s ahead. We have a good idea of what’s coming because we can see what’s already arrived: A vast political divide is growing wider every day. Trust in public institutions is at an all-time low. Ideological extremists have gained power and are seeking even more. Our constitutional rights and the very notion of democracy are being abandoned at an accelerated pace.
These are scary times. And American Atheists stands ready to lead the way through them. We are already fortunate to have a team of dedicated and passionate experts both on our staff and on the ground. Our local groups are a source of great power. While other organizations are decreasing their support for grassroots efforts, we’re doubling down. We are, after all, a people-powered movement. While some nonprofits go through the motions of strategic planning to just create a document, we utilized this process to build consensus with existing partners and a coalition of future allies.
We’re forging ahead, reenergized and with a clear sense of direction. I know we can count on you to continue supporting our efforts. To quote Madalyn, “An atheist believes that deed must be done instead of prayer said.”
Sam McGuire, our National Field Director, puts it even more succinctly: Let’s do the thing.