GARY – A torchbearer is someone who leads the way – after all, they carry the light.
That’s why it is no surprise that Angela Paul, executive director of Sojourner Truth House since 2021, was selected as the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Torchbearer Award by the national Women Organizing Women, Inc. headquartered in Temecula, Calif. The award recognizes Paul's “outstanding leadership, unwavering dedication to community empowerment and steadfast commitment to serving others,” according to Robin McCoy, WOW president.
The award celebrates her transformative work in supporting homeless and at-risk women through STH, a community ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Pamela Key, executive director for the Indiana chapter of WOW and director of client services at STH, said the STH staff gave Paul a standing ovation when the award was announced at the Gary facility in November. “That’s how much they think of Angela and her leadership,” Key said.
“STH started 28 years ago as a grassroots ministry and performs a lot of services,” noted Key.
Since she took over almost four years ago from Sister Peg Spindler, CSA, the original executive director, Paul has been able to expand services and empower female staffers and volunteers as well as clients to succeed.
“The Torchbearer Award was established to recognize volunteer roles and leaders who work, not for individual recognition, but because it is the right thing to do,” said Key, who accepted Paul’s award on her behalf at the ninth annual Fire and Ice Holiday Gala Gala in Riverside, Calif. on Dec. 8. Paul was unable to attend due to a previous commitment with her son at Western Michigan University, where he was accepting a football grant-in-aid, but submitted a video shown at the gala
“I was shocked to be selected for this award, and very, very grateful,” said Paul. “For people to see the work you do, from as far away as California … it was not something I was expecting.”
“As the executive director of Sojourner Truth House, you have been a beacon of hope and support for countless women and children in need,” McCoy said in notifying Paul of her award. “Your dedication to providing essential resources and compassionate care for homeless and at-risk women reflects the values that WOW holds dear. Under your leadership, Sojourner Truth House has become the largest community food pantry in Northwest Indiana.”
As the largest community food pantry in Lake County for the past two years, STH provides critical nutrition to more than 3,000 individuals monthly. Her background, which includes more than 20 years of business management, social service experience and distinguished military service, has been instrumental in her ability to advocate for those in need.
“We serve 90 clients a day, four days a week, with our food pantry, and it is a well-oiled operation,” said Paul. “We are grateful for our volunteers; we couldn’t do it without them.”
When WOW was preparing to launch Meals on Mission, which Key described as a mobile food preparation program to educate women, many of whom are living in hotels with their families while they strive to get into their own homes, I spoke to Angie and she was willing to lead the way, believing we needed something like this in our city,” explained Key.
The first virtual session from California was held by Zoom the week of Jan. 13, “and we have several of our STH clients enrolled,” Paul said proudly.
McCoy praised Paul’s skills: “Your journey has been one of resilience and compassion. Since joining Sojourner Truth House in 2014 (as a case manager) and rising to executive director in 2021, you have profoundly impacted the community. Your background … has equipped you to be a powerful advocate for those in need. Your work, in partnership with the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, exemplifies your commitment to transforming lives and building a village of hope in Gary.”
“Through the Meals on Mission program and your efforts to help secure scholarships for the ELD Foundation, you have made an indelible mark not just on our organization, but on the lives of the many women you have empowered to overcome poverty and achieve stability,” lauded McCoy. “Your passion for fostering interdependence within families and supporting them as they navigate complex service systems speaks volumes about your character and dedication.”
Not resting on her laurels, Paul has several new initiatives she hopes to launch this spring at STH. Meanwhile, the Community Ambassadors program established at the beginning of 2023 to engage volunteers is getting stronger, having just hosted a pancake breakfast fundraiser at Applebee’s Restaurant in Merrillville on Jan. 18.
“In recognition of International Women’s Day, our monthly Coffee and Conversation event aimed at introducing potential volunteers and sponsors to our ministry will hold a special session at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 10 that is geared to women in business,” Paul announced. “Of course, everyone is invited; just register at sojournertruthhouse.org.”
Sojourner Truth House is a ministry of hope and help for homeless and at-risk women and their children sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Through hospitality, advocacy, integrative services and collaboration, participants improve their quality of life and that of the community in a safe, trusting environment.
Caption: Angela Paul, executive director of Sojourner Truth House, a women's resource center in Gary, talks with Pam Schopp-Young, parishioner at St. Maria Goretti in Dyer, at the STH 25th Anniversary Celebration on Sept. 16, 2022 at Avalon Manor in Hobart. Paul recently received the Torchbearer Award from Women Organizing Women Inc., a national group (File Photo/Marlene A. Zloza)