Kristen Lovett, HDS MTS Alumna, Class of 2016

“One of the things that HDS allowed me to do more courageously is to recognize that binaries leave far too many out the collective framework. Binaries often create siloes, isolation, and violence, which have the power to remove individuals, families, communities, and segments of populations from having a seat at the table. This is not only harmful to those who are removed, but for those who remain at the table.”

Working in Public Health and International Aid

Before coming to Harvard Divinity School, I was working as the director of learning and evaluation at Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, which is a local non-profit in the Greater Boston Area serving Asian American and Asian immigrant families. Prior to re-locating to Boston for the position, I worked for several years in Eastern and Southern Africa managing and providing technical assistance for humanitarian aid systems.

Working both internationally and domestically in the field of public health drastically impacted the way in which I viewed the world. While working with displaced or marginalized communities, I was able to recognize that much of my work was in response to systems of violence, which were complicated and resulted from a combination of multiple influences.   Working in conflict and post-conflict environments allowed me to observe how interlocking systems of discriminatory institutional structures, cultural practices, and social norms impacted entire societies—particularly those identified as the most vulnerable.  

While my professional experiences allowed for broader understanding of the intersectionality of oppressions, it also afforded me the opportunity to observe intersections between religion, spirituality, and health. Although my training in public health provided a wonderful foundation of looking at health through the lens of empirical data and research, my work informed me in different ways. I desired to “see” into these “systems” with alternative forms of language and expression. I not only wanted to understand ethical, legal, and scientific parameters as it pertained to health, I wanted change the way I entered and held space for those who deal with  suffering, death, healing, disease, illness, trauma, and care-giving. HDS gave me the freedom to do that.

Helping to Change Stories

I have always been interested in stories because they allow for growth and learning, imagination, creativity, but ultimately they are sources of power and connection. Someone may share an ancient story with a contemporary audience, but it still resonates.

My experience at Harvard Divinity School gave me the theoretical framework to hear and value narratives in alternate ways. More importantly, it helped me recognize that systems of social oppression and inequality may have truncated or hid narratives that are critical to changing historical accounts. As a result, I became further committed to the hearing, celebrating, lifting-up, and sharing stories of women, particularly those of cis and trans women of color. My theological foundation at HDS has truly helped me reimagine how to support the telling of stories of women of color, which ultimately serves to expand and strengthen the story of humanity. 

Importance of Working Together

One of the things that HDS allowed me to do more courageously is to recognize that binaries leave far too many people out of the collective framework. Binaries often create siloes, isolation, and violence, which have the power to remove individuals, families, communities, and segments of populations from having a seat at the table. This is not only harmful to those who are removed, but for those who remain at the table. In order to create, share, and fully cultivate, knowledge has to be shared among all members. There are multiple ways of knowing, and if one becomes privileged over, then there is an inability for anyone to grow and expand fully.  

My Own Spirituality

I was brought up as a Baptist in North Carolina, and my mother did a really great job of sharing her understanding of religion and spirituality with me. She would tell me, “This is the truth I’m going to show you, but you’re going to have to discover the truth as you know it for yourself.”

That gave me freedom, in a way. When I went away to undergraduate, I entered into a non-denominational community of faith. When I worked abroad I was exposed to ways of expression of spirituality and religion that influenced my own spiritual and religious beliefs.

I consider myself to be theist, with Judeo-Christian beliefs and values. However, my belief system is not solely influenced by Abrahamic religions. I do not solely adhere to a transcendent narrative of faith. Often my expression of faith centers on seeking the divine otherness, both G-d and Other human. For me they are deeply interconnected.

Prayer and meditation are part of who and what I am. I walked away from Harvard Divinity not necessarily affiliated with a major faith tradition, but a real commitment to the Unknown and the Unseen.

My Current Work

Right now I’m involved in the anti-violence movement as a Sexual Violence Prevention Program evaluator for the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA). In my role, I’m responsible for creating processes and methodologies for the evaluation and sustainability for North Carolina’s State Plan to Prevent Sexual Violence. I also provide technical support for all of North Carolina’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) sub-grantees in the development and monitoring of impact measurements of rape prevention and education outcomes and activities.

Prior to joining NCCASA, I worked both internationally and domestically to build organizational capacity in regards to program evaluation, analysis, design, and monitoring systems, and improving staff survey and reporting skills in order to benefit served communities. I have also provided programmatic expertise in areas of primary health care, maternal and child health, and reproductive and sexual health.