Cynthia Talley is pastor of Bethel and Woodlawn United Methodist Churches in the Clarksville District of the Tennessee Annual Conference. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2008 and is currently a Doctor of Ministry student in Asbury’s Beeson Scholars Program.

While visiting Monrovia in August 2007, it was apparent to Cynthia that the women of Liberia were experiencing oppression, and not much has changed since that time. Many are widowed as a result of the war and others are single mothers as a result of rape. These women are responsible for feeding and educating their children. Given these circumstances, there is great need for the women to become economically self-sufficient. Cynthia has a burden to help the women of Liberia be economically empowered without creating a culture of dependence. Cynthia’s vision is to open a women’s empowerment center, under the umbrella of Koinonia Christian Foundation that will provide skills training in the areas of baking, sewing/tailoring, soap making, cosmetology, tie dye and adult education to assist the women in becoming gainfully employed so they can provide for their families.