Letter of Support for Rev. Elizabeth Diop

Post Author: YCWI Board

To YCWI members, alumnae, and others working toward justice,

As Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthians, “if one member suffers, all suffer together with it.” (12:26)

We have been heartbroken to hear of the decision of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to terminate several of their chaplains, including YCWI Alumna Rev. Elizabeth Diop. You can learn more about this in the article “Cincinnati Children’s silent on jailed imam and 2 chaplains who say they were fired.”

We have been in conversation about how to best support our alumna during this time – and, with her permission, have written a letter of support. We have crafted and delivered the following letter to the hospital’s Chief of Staff. A PDF of the letter is available here.

Please pray for Elizabeth, her colleagues, and all who have been unjustly treated because of their immigration status.

We invite you to help us amplify this message of support by sharing the letter below on social media and within other communities. Help us to show support and work together for justice.

With hope and solidarity,

The YCWI Board

youngclergywomen.org
2870 Peachtree Rd. NW #915-6382 Atlanta, GA 30305
info@youngclergywomen.org

Letter of Support for Rev. Elizabeth Diop

Ms. Stephanie Ebken
Chief of Staff
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
3333 Burnet Avenue
Cincinatti, OH 45229

July 25, 2025

Dear Ms. Ebken, 

On behalf of the more than 2,500 members and alumnae of Young Clergy Women International (YCWI), we write to you in support of the Reverend Elizabeth Diop. We are proud to call Rev. Diop an alumna of our organization. 

YCWI champions the work of young clergy women worldwide. We believe when one member of our body suffers, we all suffer together, and we are deeply grieved that you have terminated the employment of Rev. Diop as well as other chaplains at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. 

We stand in solidarity with Rev. Diop and all those who follow Christ’s call to speak out against the injustices of our world. We are grateful for her witness and that of her colleagues who have been bold in their witness of God’s call to stand with those who are on the margins of our society. They spoke up on behalf of Imam Ayman Soliman, one of their own colleagues and one of your former employees, who was unjustly taken into custody by ICE. The termination of these chaplains furthers the unjust treatment of immigrants and lessens the humanity that each person deserves. 

We pray for a just resolution that includes the return of these chaplains to their positions and financial restitution made for loss of salary during this time. 

We hope for a day when we all might live into the fullness of what God desires for all of God’s people. 

In the hope of justice, 

The YCWI Board, on behalf of Young Clergy Women International 

The Rev. Rebecca Ajer Frantz, Chair
The Rev. Kristen Levens, Vice Chair
The Rev. Courtney D. Smith Westerlund, Secretary
The Rev. Kayla Billings, Treasurer
The Rev. Leslie Denny
The Rev. Dr. Alina S. Gayeuski
The Rev. Sarah N. Humphrey
The Rev. Stephanie Hunter
The Rev. Diane Kenaston
The Rev. Jordan Parker
The Rev. Maggie Rust
The Rev. Dr. Katharine L. Steele
The Rev. Bethany Willers

About Young Clergy Women International

Young Clergy Women International is a professional membership organization by and for Christian clergy women under age 40. This network creates a holy and authentic community that sustains generous collaboration, embodiment and solidarity. We represent a community shaped by members from more than 35 denominations and 9 countries. To learn more about Young Clergy Women International, visit www.youngclergywomen.org.