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Looking back on my tenure leading the Secular Coalition for America – as a board member for five years, Vice President for one, and President for three – I always did my best to lead this organization in a positive direction.

I spearheaded SCA through a critical leadership transition both on the board and in the executive director role, helped navigate difficult internal disputes among member organizations, and consistently represented SCA with professionalism and integrity – all while maintaining a full-time job, serving as a board member and president of another organization, and caregiving for my young stepdaughter, whom as many of you know battled cancer for six years and sadly died earlier this year.

I was deeply moved when someone commented recently that I, quote, “lead from the heart.” This is true, and I’m so proud of doing so. Because I deeply care about this organization and want it to succeed.

I was reminded recently that I’ve been involved with SCA since its founding in 2002, albeit indirectly. SCA was formed after the historic Godless Americans March on Washington that year, the first major gathering of atheist, humanists, and secular Americans from across the United States. I was a college student, having just joined the James Madison University Freethinkers Club, and traveled with five friends wearing t-shirts modeled after those old “Got Milk?” ads that said, “Got Jesus? Nope.”

SCA helped thousands of people turn their humanist, atheist, and non-religious values into political action. SCA led the way so that our elected officials can never take for granted the power of the secular vote.

One of my proudest accomplishments that I share with you all as a board is stewarding our most excellent executive director, Steven Emmert, who joined the team just as I began my presidency. Our working relationship has meant a lot to me, and I value all the qualities Steven brings to leading the coalition and working with SCA’s board. He is a true professional, and I thank him tremendously for his dedication to the secular movement.

I also want to especially thank SCA co-founder and fellow board Herb Silverman. Honoring you and Sharon with the SCA Lifetime Achievement Award this year was a joy for me.

None of us would be here without you, Herb, and the vision you had to bring all the atheist, humanist, and secular organizations together to form a powerful, political coalition that is now the Secular Coalition for America. Through the first Trump administration, through the covid-19 pandemic, and now in a second Trump term, SCA remains. And for at least the next three years, SCA will be needed more than ever.
Maggie Ardiente presenting Herb Silverman and Sharon Fratepietro with the SCA Lifetime Achievement Award at SCA's 2025 Member Conference

Maggie Ardiente presenting Herb Silverman and Sharon Fratepietro with the SCA Lifetime Achievement Award at SCA's 2025 Member Conference

There will be tough times ahead. But in my final words of advice, I say to you: Remember the millions and millions of people who are counting on us to defend our Constitution. To defend democracy. Remain hopeful, because we’ve already seen change I never imagined would happen – from Rep. Pete Stark being the first member of Congress to identify as an atheist, to Rep. Jared Huffman being the first Humanist elected to Congress, to President Obama acknowledging nonbelievers in a positive way. All of these things happened because SCA persisted, and we won.

I may not see all I want to see happen in my lifetime, but we have done extraordinary work together, and have built the foundational blocks of success, one at a time, for the next generation to build upon. So that one day, another young college student attends a march in Washington, DC, or a conference of one of our member organizations, or SCA’s Lobby Day ([link removed]) , and decides, right then and there, to make supporting the secular movement a lifelong dedication, and carry our collective work forward.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and for the honor to serve as your President.
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With sincere appreciation,

Maggie Ardiente
President
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