The annual Robert C. Palmer Lecture on Human Rights was established by the church’s Board of Directors in 1983 to honor the legacy and service of the Rev. Robert Palmer, our first called minister. Rev. Palmer was a social activist on many fronts, including the United Nations, nuclear disarmament, and the Civil Rights Movement.
Our speaker for 2026 is Cathy Carrillo.
Cathy Carrillo is a Peruvian-American community organizer, doula, and faith leader based in Middle Tennessee. With over a decade of grassroots organizing experience, she works at the intersection of immigrant justice, racial equity, reproductive justice, and technology accountability. Cathy is a student at Vanderbilt Divinity School, where she is exploring the intersection of faith, liberation theology, and community organizing. She is currently the interim lead spiritual director for The ReMIX Way, a project that she describes as a love letter to her community. Through mutual aid, community defense, and policy advocacy, she works to create a different world where neighbors protect neighbors, and all are welcomed to the table.
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