Democracy is a core spiritual and ethical practice for Unitarian Universalists, grounded in its foundational principles, governance, and active civic engagement.The UUA’s 5th Principle affirms and promotes “the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” Unitarian Universalists view democracy not just as a political system, but as a collective moral responsibility, a spiritual covenant, and a way to honor the intrinsic worth of every person.

Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray is a Unitarian Universalist minister who served as the ninth president of the UU Association from 2017 to 2023, the first woman to be elected to the office.She was elected in June 2017 to a six-year term after serving congregations in Arizona, Ohio, and Tennessee. After leading the Unitarian Universalist response to Arizona’s anti-immigrant laws in 2010, she became lead organizer for the Arizona Immigration Ministry, among her other activism. She now lives in Massachusetts with her husband, Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray, and their son, Henry.

Topics: Current or Recent Events, Principle 1. The Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person, Principle 5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large