Domestic Violence + Sexual Assault

Domestic violence & sexual assault are a part of the “HARD ISSUES” series, on the “On The Call Podcast“, Season 8 Episode 8.

Yvonne O’Neal earned a Master of Arts degree at New School University and a Bachelor of Science at the University of Puerto Rico. As a financial services professional, she holds half a dozen professional designations and FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 licenses. Yvonne completed a Women’s Leadership certificate from Hartford Seminary (now known as Hartford International University) and Education for Ministry (EfM) from the School of Theology, The University of the South (Sewanee). She also did coursework on World Mission at General Theological Seminary.

As a former financial consultant, Yvonne was committed to empowering women through financial literacy and has conducted seminars on the importance of planning and saving for retirement.

Yvonne is a member of the Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the Episcopal Diocese of New York, for which she produces webinars during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Last year’s webinar was “Climate Change: What’s Gender Got to Do With It?” For November 30, 2023, she lined up a stellar cast for “Gender-Based Violence Spotlight: The Race to End Child Marriage by 2030.”

Yvonne grew up in the church where she was nominated from the floor, she was first elected to the vestry as a teenager. She has held virtually every lay position in her parish, Holy Trinity, in Manhattan. In the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Yvonne is a Standing Committee member and serves on the Task Force Against Human Trafficking. As chair of the Diocese’s Companion Diocese Committee and later the Global Mission Commission’s chair, Yvonne fostered international mission outreach connections in congregations. She has traveled internationally, especially in Africa and India, to strengthen bonds among congregations and help develop anti-poverty programs.

The Lay Representative on the Province II Council, Yvonne penned two resolutions on behalf of the Province at the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Break the Silence Sunday is designated as the first Sunday of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and serves as a resource for churches to actively support survivors of sexual violence, particularly in the context of worship. Yvonne authored the 2023 Break the Silence Sunday toolkit for the Diocese of New York observance on November 26. Yvonne serves on The Church Pension Group Board of Trustees and is the vice chair of the Audit Committee. She is also a Trustee and Vice President of The Church Club of New York. Yvonne served as a Trustee of The Cathedral School of Saint John the Divine, the Board of Directors of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, the Diocesan Episcopal Church Women, and as a member of the Diocesan Council. Yvonne was appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Advisory Council of the Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations, serving from 2008-2012. As the Africa Development Interchange Network representative, Yvonne continues her advocacy commitments at the United Nations.

Yvonne is a former member of the Executive Committee of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, the immediate past Vice-Chair of the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, was the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY Co-Chair, and is an active member of the NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons. The Council of the City of Philadelphia honored and recognized Yvonne with a Citation in 2018 “for her commitment to the advancement of women and girls in the United States and abroad.” In 2021, she received the Women’s Global Empowerment Award from the World Yoga Community. Yvonne’s versatile background reflects a deep commitment to social justice, advocacy, and storytelling.

One Boat: International Chaplaincy for Covid Times gave her the perfect platform to share her passion for human rights advocacy. She has written articles spanning diverse topics that showcase her ability to connect people and empower marginalized groups while raising awareness about critical social issues. Follow her at her website Yvonne O’neal: https://yvonneoneal.com/

Here are some resources nationally for homelessness and domestic violence.

Homeless: Homeless and Housing Resource Center (HHRC)

Domestic Violence: National Domestic Violence Hotline