By Berta Parrish

Anneka Scranton doesn’t have to read The Purpose Driven Life because she could have written it. She has dedicated her vocation and avocation to increasing peace and justice at the community and international levels. No small task! But Anneka, who celebrates the small wins, is not discouraged; she keeps extending her efforts from regional initiatives to global movements. She describes the purpose that drives her life as, “I always try to find common ground and connection. People are searching for something more profound, something greater than themselves. When we get past our differences, we can create together what we want to see in the world.”

Anneka’s educational experiences provide the perfect foundation for practicing what she preaches. After earning a Ph.D. in public organization, she was an Assistant Clinical Professor at USC’s Graduate School of Social Work for nearly fifteen years, training people in community organizing, planning, and administration. While in LA, she also served on the Liberty Hill Foundation board, a social justice foundation that supports change, not charity, by funding grassroots projects that mitigate poverty and injustice.

After retiring from teaching and moving to Los Osos, this social activist didn’t let grass grow under her feet. As co-founder of the Central Coast Clergy and Laity for Justice, Anneka is currently building bridges within many of the local faith-based organizations. Relying on the power of the Spirit, these leaders from various religious traditions promote compassion, generosity, and respect for diversity by focusing on economic justice, human/civil rights, environmental justice, and peace/non-violence. According to Anneka, it is “more strategic to bring congregational leaders together, to use pre-formed organizations for positive social change.”

This deep conviction in all aspects of human rights unifies her volunteer efforts, such as helping the homeless as a Friend of Prado Day Center, educating the public as a frequent instructor for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and advocating for a Human Rights Commission for SLO County.

Convinced about the power of women to affect change, Anneka has become very active in the Global Fund for Women, a nonprofit foundation that advances women’s rights worldwide. It raises funds for women-led organizations that promote the economic security, health, safety, education and leadership of women and girls. Serving as a site visitor to current and potential grant recipients is extremely rewarding. “When I see how the grantees endure life threatening situations yet struggle for something better, I gain hope.” Furthermore, she adds, “those who suffer so deeply yet remain committed to social justice inspire me to never give in or give up.”

We all struggle with balancing our distress over the world’s endless conflicts and our efforts for internal harmony. Is it possible to be an involved activist and a centered person? Will Keepin, founder of the Satyana Institute, believes that “activism without spirituality is blind and spirituality without activism is lame. What we need now is a new form of spiritual activism that combines both spiritual and social transformation.” We need people like Anneka who rely on the Ground of All Being to forge common ground to resolve today’s momentous issues.