As a founding member of the first Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church Domestic Violence Task Force, she helped spearhead an effort that led to the first ever clergy training on domestic violence in the conference. She has spoken in churches, jails, women's programs. In 2009, she gave both an invocation and spoke at the Lincoln Memorial.
Gayle also served as a Licensed Local Pastor from 2012-2019. She appeared on the Ricki Lake Show in 2002 to encourage other survivors and has helped victims of human trafficking. In the mid-1990s she developed the term "trigger warning" in the Rape Recovery Forum on Delphi, in Yahoo groups called Rape Recovery Groups 1 and 2, other groups.
The Commission on the Status and Role of Women within the United Methodist Church named her "A Woman to Watch" in their publication "The Flyer". In 2019, she trained area clergy at a district-wide event on social media and has helped organizations develop food pantries and clothing closets.
In her private life, she faced childhood homelessness by being doubled up, health challenges and loss.
Gayle understands the difficulties of life and is passionate about encouraging others. Book her for your next event by contacting gayle@gaylecrabtree.com
