I first met Heather-Dawn Small in the summer of 2002 when she came to Germany with Ardis Stenbakken for a Women’s Ministries advisory for the German-speaking countries. At that time the department had developed the concept of continuing education courses for women. They presented the material and held some of the seminars.
Then, a couple of years later, Heather-Dawn was invited as the speaker to a large women’s retreat in Burg Wernfels, a castle in southern Germany. The topic was “Don’t let anyone steal your joy!” It was the most memorable retreat I have ever attended, with the women soaking up her message like a sponge, laughing and crying with her as she related her life’s story. Her authenticity and openness, vulnerability, and heart-felt love helped us understand how she could cling to her motto of Joy despite all the difficulties she had met in her life. We were encouraged to hold fast to joy in our lives as well.
At the opening of this retreat, we wanted to welcome Heather-Dawn with a special gesture. I had sewed a large flag of Trinidad & Tobago and as the national anthem was playing, the open flag was carried from the back of the hall to the front by several women. As soon as the first tones of the anthem started, Heather-Dawn stood up from her seat and watched the approaching flag with her right hand on her heart. The flag was then draped on the grand piano for the whole retreat. She never forgot this gesture and for us, it was a special pleasure to honor her home country. She may still have kept the flag as a souvenir.
Considering that Heather-Dawn traveled around the world for more than 20 years, meeting so many women everywhere, I was always astonished at how she would remember so many people. She made everybody feel special. We were her friends and sisters. It was always a joy to meet her. It was a great surprise when she wrote to me that I would be one of the recipients of the Women of the Year Award for 2019. I appreciated the gesture, taking it as an acknowledgment of the work of the many women who, like me, work for the Church as volunteers.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see her in October 2023 at the Adventist Women in History Conference in Washington. She was radiant, as ever. Her big smile and hug and the conversations we had will remain with me as a fond memory of a dear friend. She graciously accepted to do a short impromptu video interview. Thinking of all the women we had heard about at the conference, she closed with the words: “It is amazing how God has led us women through the history of our church. Not only in Women’s Ministries, but in the many ways women have served our church. Those ladies who are serving now in leadership positions in Women’s Ministries, you are also making a way for the other younger women who would come behind you. One day soon, we will be history if Jesus doesn’t come. But let us make sure that the history we leave is history that points to Jesus.” The conference closed with a keynote address stressing the legacy that women leave to others. Heather-Dawns legacy is huge.
Others will analyze the impact Heather-Dawn had in developing the initiatives of the Women’s Ministries Department that she led for almost 20 years. I am proud of the foundation based on the Declaration of Human Rights and in accordance with the Beijing Declaration of Women’s Rights. Acknowledging the challenges that women face, she directed the projects and initiatives to benefit the lives of women around the world. She always had the big picture in mind.
Ever since receiving the news of her passing, I have been thinking of this great woman with gratitude, sadness, and yes, the joy that was so important to her. The joy of having known her as a friend, and looking forward to a joyful reunion when all things are made new.
Hannele Ottschofski, EUD WM News Editor