“We are living in unprecedented times.” I have heard or read these words too often to count in response to events over the past year, often to indicate the difficulty of advancing evidence-based arguments in polarized times or to describe seemingly insurmountable odds against social justice progress. Much of my presidential year has been driven by the demands of the moment, navigating the strong headwinds facing justice-oriented professional societies and their members while seeking strategies for advancing SPSSI’s mission and crucial contributions in the current political climate. During a time when many institutions, groups, and norms are under attack and when so much is at stake, serving SPSSI, an organization that means so much to me professionally and personally, has been both an honor and incredibly humbling. I am forever grateful for this opportunity.

Despite a daunting range of societal challenges, working with SPSSI over the past year has reinforced for me many reasons to be hopeful about our shared future. First, there is so much power, collective strength, and generative wisdom in our SPSSI community. Nowhere is this more evident than when we come together at our annual conference and this was again the case at this year’s impactful meeting in Portland. Being in community with fellow justice-oriented researchers, teachers, practitioners, and advocates was a much-needed respite and opportunity to re-energize, and these connections will be nurtured throughout the coming year via SPSSI’s publications, virtual events, committees, and other activities. Recognizing and harnessing SPSSI’s collective strength – our collective strength – is crucial to moving our important work forward and amplifying its impact. I am excited about the tremendous vision, energy, and leadership that President Kimberly Barsamian Kahn, President-Elect Phia Salter, and newly elected Council members bring to SPSSI.

Second, as we approach SPSSI’s 90^th anniversary, there is great strength and knowledge to be gleaned from SPSSI’s past and by learning how SPSSI members and leaders responded to the significant challenges of their time. The obstacles they faced, and their successes and losses, are a powerful call for us to uphold SPSSI’s commitment to social justice, and to be bold and tenacious in our efforts. Moreover, as we look to history and to more contemporary struggles for justice in communities across time and place, it is evident that thinking only of our current challenges as “unprecedented” neglects the world’s long history of injustice and unrest, cutting us off from learning from previous changemakers and social movements. This was a lively point of discussion at an inspiring breakfast meeting of generations of SPSSI Presidents as well as a recurring thread in keynote addresses and talks throughout the conference. I am fortunate that my term overlapped with Past Presidents Patrick Grzanka and Abby Stewart, two inspirational leaders from whom I have learned so much. Ultimately, harnessing the experiences, insights, and contributions of SPSSI members, past and present, will help ensure SPSSI’s future envisioning a just world for all.

I have long believed, but am now certain, that SPSSI’s collective strength – what each of us bring to SPSSI – is SPSSI’s true superpower. Thank you for all you bring to this special community.

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