Danielle Garrett

I was born and raised outside of Richmond, Virginia. Although an only child, I was never lonely and grew up surrounded by extended family and cousins who are like siblings. I was a cheerleader, extremely competitive debate team member, and active in social justice and political causes from a young age. I was a senior in high school when a friend and I boarded a bus to D.C. with other Planned Parenthood supporters to attend the 2004 March for Women's Lives.

​​​

I attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA where I majored in Government and Women's Studies and was active in feminist activism and reproductive rights. After college, I moved to Austin, TX to study public policy at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. I focused on health and social policy while in school, and also took full advantage of Austin's lively music scene. My time in Austin gifted me with a meaningful career, a love of queso, Shiner Bock and breakfast tacos, and many important relationships, most importantly, my wife, Mari.

​

After finishing graduate school, I moved to Washington, D.C. where I spent 10 years working in reproductive rights and health care policy and advocacy. I worked for the National Women's Law Center, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, and Community Catalyst before following a call to ministry. I was an active lay leader at All Souls Unitarian Church in D.C. and it was in those pews, during a child dedication, where I first felt called to serve our Unitarian Universalist congregations.

​

It was also at All Souls that I developed my love for and interest in pilgrimage, after walking a section of the Camino with UU minister Rev. Rob Hardies and a group from the congregation. This remains one of my most important spiritual practices, an area of academic research, and a vocation in its own right. I am at my happiest planning, leading, and participating in walking spiritual pilgrimages.

​

I attended Divinity School at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and those three years of theological education were one of the great gifts and joys of my life. Vanderbilt Divinity is known as the "school of the prophets," and I have so much gratitude for the diverse professors and classmates who expanded my theological imagination and ethical convictions. I loved being in a multi-faith educational environment that was deeply committed to justice and I learned much from progressive faith leaders committed to building a more inclusive South. Upon graduating, I was honored to receive the Founder's Medal, which Vanderbilt University awards to the student graduating with first honors from each of the university’s 10 schools and colleges.

​

I currently live in Portland, OR with my wife Mari and our dog Jo March where we spend our time hiking, camping, bird watching, and going to see live music. Mari works in renewable energy policy. She currently works remotely for a non-profit research and advocacy organization where she has been for eight years. Although she didn't imagine being a preacher's wife when we first met, she has been an enthusiastic supporter of my new vocation and a diligent editor of my sermons!

​

Some fun facts you won't find on my resume: I love country music, old and new. I've been to 12 Jimmy Buffett concerts in my lifetime and upon request am happy to provide a picture of me in a parrot shaped hat. My favorite book is Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, my favorite movies are Jurassic Park and The Way (the Martin Sheen movie about walking the Camino), my favorite theologian is Dorothee Soelle and my favorite poets are Marie Howe and Lisel Mueller. I enjoy travelling, especially trips that involve long-distance walking. My favorite cities are Key West, Florida and Edinburgh, Scotland. When I have cause to celebrate, I like to do it with briny oysters, good scotch, and the laughter of close friends.