Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement announcing the appointment of Las Vegan Sandra Jolley to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) -- an independent, bipartisan federal government organization dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.
"Sandy Jolley is a Nevada icon and church leader recognized in the Silver State and throughout the country for her tireless advocacy for faith, women and families. I have worked closely with her for decades, and no one cares more about protecting religious freedom than Sandy Jolley. She has a proven record of bringing people of disparate backgrounds together to accomplish great things, and she will be an invaluable addition to the commission," Reid said. "Religious minorities continue to face persecution throughout the world, and the United States has a duty to take a stand against intolerance and bigotry. Sandy's breadth of experience and unique perspective will serve the commission well as it addresses these important issues."
Background
A leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sandra Jolley has spent decades in Nevada advocating for women and families. Jolley served as co-chairman of the Las Vegas Area Public Communications Committee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and facilitated interfaith and community outreach for the church. In addition, she served five years as president of the Las Vegas South Stake Relief Society and two years as assistant director of Life Line, a women's resource center serving southern Nevada. She has also worked with numerous campaigns and local charities.
Jolley is a UNLV graduate with a degree in Women's Studies with special emphasis on women's religious history.