Unity Museum: A Life's Mission
January 12, 2023 at 1:49 p.m.
Zabine Van Ness with college students at the Unity Museum in Seattle's University District
...by Judy Rohm
Zabine founded the Unity Museum in Seattle’s University District as part of her goal to promote global peace. The museum has been called “The Best Little Secret on The Ave” -- it focuses on social justice issues, features ongoing and rotating exhibits, speaker programs, a library, meditation room, outreach programs, and even just a place to hang out in the lounge.
An exhibit at the Unity Museum
Zabine’s life experiences have inspired her to dedicate her life to promote social justice causes. She has traveled to more than 65 countries working to establish humanitarian agencies. During her travels she was inspired by the visionary principles she found in the Baha’i Faith, which emboldens her activism.
Currently, Zabine is focused on serving as the co-founder and executive director of the Unity Museum. She has been dreaming and planning for this museum’s actualization for the past 40 years. Her goals and the goals of the museum are to celebrate humanity, work toward social justice and global peace.
This non-profit museum is always free to visit, and welcomes everyone. The musuem depends on its all-volunteer staff who are inspired by its vison. Zabine finds that youth and college-age students are especially inspired to visit and to engage in lively conversations. These conversations inspire reflection and action to create a better future.
The in-house and the travelling exhibits and lectures are available to schools, libraries and civic centers.
Zabine encourages all who are interested to visit the Unity Museum and also to consider volunteering.
Zabine Van Ness encourages visitors to come to the museum, and even to consider volunteering
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