GCWJ History

GCWJ partnered with the Orange County Department of Education for the annual Ensure Justice Conference, hosting over 400 attendees.

Dr. Sandra Morgan was appointed and peer-elected as co-chair of the White House Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking. 

GCWJ partners, Virginia and Gilbert Contreras, launched the Terminando con la Trata podcast.

In 2017, the Women Veterans Network was revitalized with the Women Veteran’s research fellowship, open to undergraduate students at Vanguard.

On October 6, 2016, the GCWJ had the privilege to host eight women from Saudi Arabia for a reception and discussion forum about culture, politics, and social justice issues applicable to the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Starting in 2014, the More Priceless than Diamonds Luncheon to End Human Trafficking became the GCWJ’s premier annual fundraising and activism program.

Since January 2013, the Women Veterans Network has hosted a variety of educational, professional, and social events for women veterans in Orange County.

In January of 2013, Vanguard Alum Alexis Miller became the coordinator for the GCWJ until her departure in March of 2015.

In April of 2011, Morgan and Dave Stachowiak launched the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast.

In 2010, the center became the Global Center for Women and Justice (GCWJ) and transitioned towards a more grassroots activism in the areas of human trafficking and exploitation.

Sandra Morgan became the director of the Global Center for Women and Justice.

In 2009, Vanguard alum Olivia Klaus’s documentary film, in partnership with the CWS, won the Audience Award at the Sacramento Film and Music Festival.

In March of 2008, the first Gender and Justice conference was held, which would evolve into the Ensure Justice Conference based on a reference to Proverbs 31:8.

Dr. Carol Taylor served as the director of the CWS from 2008 to 2010.

In February of 2007, the CWS partnered with Senior Advisor on Trafficking in Persons to the U.S. Department of State, Dr. Laura Lederer, to host a two-day seminar entitled “Strategies Against Sex Trafficking.”Description goes here

In 2006, Sandra Morgan joined the center as an advisor and instructor in the Women’s Studies Minor. Morgan used the center for her work on the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) and Community Service Programs (CSP).

In 2005, Dr. Benvenuti served on the National Network of Women in Ministry (WIM) board, leading to a lasting partnership between WIM and Vanguard University in 2006.

In April of 2004, the second conference was held, entitled “Leaders and Power: Women Negotiating Professional Minefields,” featuring panels of leaders in ministry, business, community service, academia, and law.

The first conference was hosted by the center, entitled “Domestic Violence, What Can We Do?” It examined the church’s role in family violence and was largely reflective of the research by Dr. Leonard that inspired the creation of the center.

Dr. Benvenuti co-directed the center from 2003-2005, then independently directed the center from 2006-2008.

Dr. Leonard served as co-director of the CWS from 2002-2005.

The Center for Women's Studies (CWS) was formally founded by Dr. Elizabeth Leonard and Dr. Sheri Benvenuti. Vanguard University became the first Assemblies of God institution to offer an interdisciplinary academic minor in Women’s Studies.

The center functionally operated as a series of research collaborations under the purview of Dr. Elizabeth Leonard prior to its formal inception.