Overview
In honor of Vanessa Julye's retirement and her transformative 30 years of service to Friends General Conference, we invite our community to engage in a collective reading of Fit for Freedom, Not for Friendship. This community read is supported by donations to the Vanessa Julye Fund, which is focused on sustaining the Ministry on Racism's vital programming for Friends of Color and antiracism education.
What is a Community Read?
A community read is a shared reading experience that invites participants to engage with a common text independently, then gather periodically for facilitated discussion. Participants read at their own pace following a suggested timeline, then join live sessions to share reflections, deepen understanding, and build connections with other readers across our Quaker community.
Event Details
Hosted by FGC's Ministry on Racism, this community read will offer opportunities for individual reflection and shared discussion throughout 2026. On Tuesday, February 24 at 8:30 PM EST, we will launch our journey together on a one-hour Zoom call. Additional one-hour calls will be held in July, October and December — including a hybrid call in July with Friends attending the in-person Gathering. In between these calls, Friends are encouraged to find smaller groups to explore this book with, drawing on connections from Quaker affinity groups or from Monthly or Yearly Meetings.
FGC requires that all attendees must have registered for the event. Like at all FGC events, we have an event expectations policy in place during our time together, which you can read here. h How to Participate
P Purchase the Book: Fit for Freedom, Not for Friendship is available in paperback edition through FGC’s QuakerBooks here.
Study Guide: The companion Fit for Freedom Study Guide, developed by FGC's Ministry on Racism Committee, includes quotes, queries, and suggested activities for individual or group use. Purchase through QuakerBooks here.
With Gratitude
Thank you to all who have donated or plan to donate to the Vanessa Julye Fund. Your generosity directly supports the Ministry on Racism's programming, including retreats and worship opportunities for Friends of Color, antiracism education, and resources that help our Quaker community live more fully into our testimony of equality. Together, we continue the transformative work Vanessa has championed for three decades.