Adam Bauer of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau.

Adam Bauer of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau.

Living and Growing: Rúhíyyih Khánum, Hand of the Cause of God

Living in Juneau I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Áakʼw Ḵwáan and Taku Kwaan , the original inhabitants of Lingít Aaní. We pay respect to the Áakʼw Ḵwáan and Taku Kwaan elders, both past and present, and extend that respect to other Indigenous people present.

Rúhíyyih Khánum (1910 – 2000 ) was born Mary Maxwell in New York City in 1910. Her parents were prominent Baháʼís and very involved in the early spread of the Baháʼí Faith. At the age of 26, Rúhíyyih Khánum married Shoghi Effendi — the Guardian of the Baháʼí Faith and great-grandson of Baháʼu’lláh, the Founder of the Faith. For 20 years she assisted him as he nurtured and grew a fledgling Faith into a global community. When Rúhíyyih Khánum was 47 years old, her husband died, leaving her as the last living link to the family of Baháʼu’lláh and the Founders of the Baháʼí Faith. She was elected to the Council of Custodians who shepherded the Faith while preparations were made for the first global election of the body that leads the Faith today.

After completing her administrative responsibilities, Rúhíyyih Khánum began a series of travels around the world. She visited over 185 countries to spread the message of the Baháʼí Faith, including in places where the Bahá’í Faith was little known or where the Bahá’í community needed encouragement., She especially encouraged members of indigenous peoples to participate in the global Baháʼí community. In 1973, Rúhíyyih Khánum embarked on a notable trip to Alaska, as part of her travel teaching activities throughout the Americas during that time. During her stay in Alaska, she visited several communities, met with Bahá’ís, and offered encouragement and guidance. While visiting Southeast Alaska, she was adopted into the Wooshkeetaan clan at a ceremony in Juneau. At that time, she was gifted a Tlingit blanket which she treasured very much.

On the weekend of September 2 and 3, during a two-day celebration held among local Tlingit clans, ceremonies included honoring the 50th anniversary of Rúhíyyih Khánum’s adoption into the Wooshkeetaan clan. At this celebration, the blanket that was gifted to her all those years ago came home to be shared once again with the relatives of those who originally gifted it. Fifty years of living has caused some wear and tear on the blanket. It has been graciously restored by a local artist and will return to Haifa, Israel, where it will be kept in the Baháʼí archives. I am not adequate to the task nor is it my place to explain the significance and meaning of a Koo.éex’ where Tlingit clans from across Lingít Aaní came together for a joint celebration of birthdays, marriage vows, and historical remembrance. Suffice it to say, I was honored to be in attendance and truly moved by the sincerity and openheartedness of the Tlingit families who came together for this occasion and shared these celebrations with the Baha’i community.

It is fitting that we should take a moment to remember an amazing woman who played such a remarkable role of service to her Faith and the world at large. I wish to thank all the people who made this remembrance at the recent Koo.éex’.

I also wish to thank the Juneau Empire and the Juneau Interfaith Council for making this column possible.

Much Love to all.

• Adam Bauer is the secretary of Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau. “Living & Growing” is a weekly column written by different authors and submitted by local clergy and spiritual leaders. It appears every Saturday on the Juneau Empire’s Faith page.

More in Neighbors

The author holds her mother’s hand two hours before she died. (Photo by Gabriella Hebert)
Living and Growing: Spiritual care at end of life

My favorite Gold Creek trail was damaged in one of the 2024… Continue reading

Tortilla casserole ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Cooking For Pleasure: Tortilla casserole with leftover turkey

This is a great way to use leftover turkey should you have… Continue reading

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
Living and Growing: The most famous person you’ll ever meet

The most famous person I’ve ever met was Gerald R. Ford. It… Continue reading

One of countless classic combinations possible with Thanksgiving leftovers. (Stu Spivack / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Gimme A Smile: Please, take home some leftovers

The holiday season is upon us! Over the next few months, we… Continue reading

Jacqueline F. Tupou is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
Living and Growing: A life hack for holiday happiness

Do you wish you were more happy? Do you see others experiencing… Continue reading

Pumpkin cheesecake with a pecan crust being served. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Cooking For Pleasure: Pumpkin cheesecake with a pecan crust

For those of you who struggle with trying to figure out how… Continue reading

Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)
Living and Growing: The healing power of art

I found this awesome quote about art from Googling: “Art has the… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Living and Growing: A list of do’s to reclaim Shabbat

To be silent the whole day, see no newspaper, hear no radio,… Continue reading

“Princess Sophia” stranded on Vanderbilt Reef, Oct. 24, 1918. (Alaska State Library Historical Collection, ASL-P87-1700)
Living and Growing: The storms of the Fall

Psalm 19 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the… Continue reading