Passing the Baton: WFWP USA Presidential Transition Ceremony & Celebration
Written by: Natascha Phillips
On February 11, 2023, a momentous WFWP USA Presidential Transition Ceremony was held in the ballroom of The Washington Times to honor and thank outgoing WFWP USA President Angelika Selle for her incredible 13 years of service and welcome Mrs. Kaeleigh Moffitt as her successor. It was an afternoon of celebration and recognition of all that WFWP USA has accomplished under former President Selle’s leadership, with moving testimonies, inspirational speeches and an official passing of the baton ceremony.
As the Mistress of Ceremonies, WFWP USA Vice President Katarina Connery warmly welcomed everyone and invited them to enjoy some light refreshments. More than 100 ladies and gentlemen from near and far came to attend the three-hour event in person, and 135 participants joined through Zoom, including international guests from Canada, Austria and India.
The program kicked off with a congratulatory video address by WFWP International President Dr. Julia Moon, who spoke of the significant efforts of Mrs. Selle in spreading the vision of WFWP during her tenure as president. After offering her sincere gratitude to Mrs. Selle for her leadership, she then welcomed the incoming WFWP USA President Kaeleigh Moffitt as an accomplished woman leader, wife and mother.
In her video message, WFWP International Senior Vice President Dr. Sun Jin Moon shared her excitement about Mrs. Kaeleigh Moffitt’s appointment and offered her blessing: “Under your care, may WFWP USA reach abundant victories and call on a new era and a new generation of women to save the world.” Dr. Moon then honored Mrs. Selle for the “legacy of love” she has created.
Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, an avid supporter of WFWP who traveled from Las Vegas to be there in person, spoke very highly of former President Selle as he remembered working with her during his time as regional chair of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) North America. He commended her for her service for this nation and the world.
This immense and incredible work was then showcased in a video entitled “13 Years of Service” that highlighted key developments and projects of WFWP USA under Mrs. Selle’s leadership. The images of countless educational seminars, leadership retreats, community service projects, and peacebuilding efforts through the Global Women’s Peace Network (GWPN) spoke volumes of the depth and breadth of Mrs. Selle’s impact.
More effective than pictures alone was to hear the personal stories of women who had worked directly with former President Selle. The next part of the program featured five testimonies by ladies from all the regions of the United States. Up first was Dr. Susan Taffer, Founder of the World Connections Foundation, representing the southwest region. Dr. Taffer spoke of the “ripple effect of positive change” that Mrs. Selle inspired through her leadership and the strong partnerships she forged through GWPN.
Natascha Phillips, Southeast Regional GWPN Coordinator, shared how former President Selle was a role model to her as a woman leader and expressed her deep admiration for her faith, humility and strength. She was deeply grateful for the opportunities and guidance that Mrs. Selle offered to young women like herself.
Next to speak was Dr. Linda Nishikawa, WFWP West Regional Coordinator, who expressed her admiration for Mrs. Selle through a beautiful poem that she had written for her. She also extended a welcome to incoming President Kaeleigh Moffitt: “We are thrilled to have you as our new leader and can’t wait to see how you shape our beloved organization.”
Representing the midwest region, WFWP National Schools of Africa Coordinator Fannie Smith said she was honored to have worked with Mrs. Selle and witnessed how she overcame hardships and never wavered in her responsibilities. She concluded by offering her support to the incoming president.
Irmgard Baynes, WFWP USA Financial Administrator and Treasurer, represented the northeast region and read a letter that she had written to Mrs. Selle in a commemorative book that would later be gifted to her. She spoke of former President Selle’s ability to move an audience and how she won over new members and leaders for WFWP everywhere she went with her motherly heart and feminine style of leadership.
As the MC, Mrs. Connery made note of several key participants who were tuning in through Zoom, including the two previous WFWP USA presidents, Mrs. Nora Spurgin and Mrs. Alexa Ward, and the current WFWP Canada president, Mrs. Lilly Tadin. She then invited up Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook as an impromptu addition to the program. She had spoken at a number of WFWP events over the years and revealed a sisterly connection of heart with Mrs. Selle.
Following this, the audience was transported by a lovely musical duet featuring Makiko Taguchi on the violin and Jung Yeon Joo on the keyboard. The music filled the atmosphere with peace and serenity.
Then, WFWP USA Senior Vice President Rev. Juanita Pierre Louis sang a spirited rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend”, dedicated to Mrs. Selle, that encouraged the whole audience to clap and sing along.
Humbled by all the acknowledgments and recognitions, former WFWP USA President Angelika Selle expressed her sincere gratitude to all of the WFWP leaders, members and supporters. She reflected on the past 13 years of unbelievable experiences, both challenging and rewarding.
After being called to serve in the role of WFWP USA president by the founders Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon in 2010, Mrs. Selle took it very seriously and asked God for guidance. She got three answers: to study and internalize the vision and mission of WFWP, to prepare for the next generation, and to be like satin: “Satin is a fabric that is shining on the outside and dull on the inside… women have to shine the love of God and the truth and they have to absorb the dull – the pain and suffering – and that’s what the women have done here.”
Mrs. Selle saw herself as a transitional president, preparing the way for the future, and she thanked the young women leaders who made a difference at WFWP and created a lot of materials and practical tools for the organization. She credited God and her amazing team for carrying her through the toughest times: “There were many times when I felt there was no hope, and it was by faith, by commitment, love, prayer and unity of heart that we made it through.”
Finally, she wanted to thank and honor her husband Bob Selle and their four children, who all stood by her side and supported her for the past 13 years, through all the ups and downs of this long journey.
She ended her speech with a positive outlook for the future: “We have a lot of hope, we have a lot of joy, we have a lot of excitement coming up. Mother Moon keeps going forward. We will not stop. We will be the wind beneath her wings, [...] so we can bring about a good world of peace in our lifetime. The best is yet to come!” Her video recording of her message can be viewed here.
The WFWP USA national staff team presented Mrs. Selle with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and took photos together. Mrs. Merly Barlan, representing WFWP International, offered her a plaque of appreciation, and the local WFWP leaders in Virginia, Maryland and DC gifted her a lovely commemorative vase.
Dr. Patra Kidwell and Dr. Flowers Briscoe, President of My Life Theological University, conferred upon Mrs. Selle an honorary doctorate for her achievements and service as a community leader. Being granted a Doctor of Divinity, she was presented for the first time as Dr. Angelika Selle to resounding applause.
Dr. Selle then invited Mrs. Kaeleigh Moffitt to the stage, and officially passed the baton. Mrs. Moffitt also received a copy of the WFWP 30th anniversary book, as a symbol of bequeathing this incredible foundation to her. In return, Mrs. Moffitt presented Dr. Selle with an elegant sunflower pin, explaining that this flower had special meaning for her.
As the new president of WFWP USA, Mrs. Moffitt then gave her inaugural address. She expressed her gratitude to Dr. Selle for taking the time over the past two months to regularly meet with her and familiarize her with all aspects of the position. She acknowledged the foundation that had been laid by her predecessors and through the vision of Father and Mother Moon as the founders of WFWP, and shared her desire that “together with the next generation of women, we hope to make [this foundation] reach even further.”
The inspiration for taking on this important role came from Mother Moon and her desire to help all women express their divine femininity, with the understanding that God is both Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. “As a mother, as a wife, as a daughter, I am a unique representation of that feminine nature of God,” President Moffitt explained. Addressing the women in the audience, she added: “We are all daughters of God, and if we know that deep inside ourselves, we can accomplish anything.”
She ended her speech with sincere gratitude for the welcome she had received and all the respected leaders who came to attend this transition ceremony.
Following another presentation of flowers and group photos of WFWP leadership on the stage, final words of congratulations were offered by FFWPU North America Director Dr. Chung Sik Yong, UPF President Dr. Michael Jenkins and FFWPU President Naokimi Ushiroda.
The celebration concluded with a mesmerizing performance by drummer Gregory Woods, who got everyone up on their feet. The energy in the room was infectious, and soon we were all laughing, clapping and forming chains as we danced around the room. What a fitting conclusion to this festive occasion!
Comments from participants:
“Wonderful program. Wonderful people. Thank you, Angelika. Onward and upward Kaeleigh.”
“One of the best and most memorable passing on the baton ceremonies I have ever seen. Thank you”
“Congratulations to Dr. Selle and Kaeleigh! Fantastic and uplifting program, and lovely to see you all”
“Congratulations to Mrs. Kaeleigh Moffitt and Dr. Selle for your unity from this time forth.”
“Wonderful passing of the baton from one champion to another! God’s blessing on the WFWP and all the great woman of the world and all of human history”
“I can feel the beautiful spirit of hope, love and abundance!!!”
“Thank you so much Angelika for what you have done. We are all grateful and proud of you. Please know, Kaeleigh, how much appreciation and faith we have in you.”
The video of the ceremony can be viewed here.
