Pauli Murray’s mission still calls out the best in us, even when it pushes us to confront those things we do not want to see or be. Whether it is racism, sexism, or any kind of bias, Pauli challenges us to be the people God hopes for us to be: accepting, mindful, in service to others, and especially loving. Pauli called out for justice. Or should it be called what she intended: a powerfully loving invitation?

Pauli Murray was a punk par excellence. A punk pushes boundaries boldly and defies convention and norms deliciously. A punk will not conform because there is no way to limit the human spirit.

And Pauli was also a person of prayer, one who powerfully connects this world with the divine, enthusiastically with belief that defies less rigorous imaginations. Throughout her life, Pauli sought what the Creator was about: a radically deep and lively connection between the Created and the Creator. Her prayer and work gave voice to this dynamic.

Pauli Murray was truly a prophet in the act of reminding us to embrace others and ourselves in love as God created us. At first, a prophet’s rebuke sounds loud and brazen. But the call of the prophet beckons us to love our neighbors and turn away from cruel self-regard. A good partner encourages us to connect meaningfully without condition. The partner and the prophet both call us to serve and be in love, which is the fullest sense of ourselves and others. Partners and prophets are fearless in lifting us to be the best version of ourselves. Partners and prophets encourage us to be the people we otherwise cannot imagine ourselves to be.