ICSA TODAY 16
I am pleased to present this year’s Margaret Thaler
Singer Award to Deborah Schriver. The Singer Award is
presented by ICSA “for advancing the understanding
of coercive persuasion, undue influence, and
psychological manipulation.” And what a gifted
advocate we have in Debby Schriver!
As ICSA President, Debby has worked tirelessly to
provide programming, develop funding, and offer
personal support for those impacted by cults and
cultic relationships. Debby’s abilities to speak and
write about cult members in a compelling and
compassionate way are among her many strengths.
Her approachability, availability, enthusiasm,
trustworthiness, humor, and, most of all, her kindness
are all essential elements of her advocacy. As a result
of her personal qualities, Debby has established solid
relationships within the ICSA world, including with the
board of directors, staff, volunteers, former members
and their families, and professionals.
A native of Chicago, Debby Schriver earned
undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University
of Tennessee, where she became the associate dean of
student conduct and orientation, a team leader, and
a teaching associate. Her focus on child development
led to her work with Tennessee’s Foster Care Review
Board. There she advocated for a community that
serves at-risk youth. Debby had published several
notable books before writing Whispering in the
Daylight: The Children of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries
and Their Journey to Freedom. In its pages, we can see
how Debby was able to connect with those who were
born and raised in that cult. After they left and Debby
had completed her book, she continued to advocate
for them and support them in numerous ways. She
also appeared as the cult expert in Sundance TV
docuseries Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony
Alamo, and on The Truth About True Crime podcast
produced by Sundance TV and Sundance Now.
Debby’s advocacy work rests on a solid background of
experience with organizations such as the American
Red Cross, the Girl Scouts, Blount Mansion, the United
Way of Greater Knoxville, the YWCA, and her own
organization, the non-profit Keys to Me, designed to
educate community workers on how to recognize
coercive control and connect with its victims to create
a groundwork from which survivors can begin a return
to themselves and a healthy life.
How fortunate we are that Debby has taken on the
role and responsibilities of president of ICSA. She
has steered us through the challenges of a global
pandemic and provided all of us with encouragement
as ICSA’s programs became virtual. I have learned
valuable lessons from Debby Schriver, and I am proud
to call her my dear friend.
Congratulations, Debby, on receiving the Margaret
Thaler Singer Award!
ICSA 2022 Margaret Thaler Singer Award
Presentation by Lorna Goldberg
I am pleased to present this year’s Margaret Thaler
Singer Award to Deborah Schriver. The Singer Award is
presented by ICSA “for advancing the understanding
of coercive persuasion, undue influence, and
psychological manipulation.” And what a gifted
advocate we have in Debby Schriver!
As ICSA President, Debby has worked tirelessly to
provide programming, develop funding, and offer
personal support for those impacted by cults and
cultic relationships. Debby’s abilities to speak and
write about cult members in a compelling and
compassionate way are among her many strengths.
Her approachability, availability, enthusiasm,
trustworthiness, humor, and, most of all, her kindness
are all essential elements of her advocacy. As a result
of her personal qualities, Debby has established solid
relationships within the ICSA world, including with the
board of directors, staff, volunteers, former members
and their families, and professionals.
A native of Chicago, Debby Schriver earned
undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University
of Tennessee, where she became the associate dean of
student conduct and orientation, a team leader, and
a teaching associate. Her focus on child development
led to her work with Tennessee’s Foster Care Review
Board. There she advocated for a community that
serves at-risk youth. Debby had published several
notable books before writing Whispering in the
Daylight: The Children of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries
and Their Journey to Freedom. In its pages, we can see
how Debby was able to connect with those who were
born and raised in that cult. After they left and Debby
had completed her book, she continued to advocate
for them and support them in numerous ways. She
also appeared as the cult expert in Sundance TV
docuseries Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony
Alamo, and on The Truth About True Crime podcast
produced by Sundance TV and Sundance Now.
Debby’s advocacy work rests on a solid background of
experience with organizations such as the American
Red Cross, the Girl Scouts, Blount Mansion, the United
Way of Greater Knoxville, the YWCA, and her own
organization, the non-profit Keys to Me, designed to
educate community workers on how to recognize
coercive control and connect with its victims to create
a groundwork from which survivors can begin a return
to themselves and a healthy life.
How fortunate we are that Debby has taken on the
role and responsibilities of president of ICSA. She
has steered us through the challenges of a global
pandemic and provided all of us with encouragement
as ICSA’s programs became virtual. I have learned
valuable lessons from Debby Schriver, and I am proud
to call her my dear friend.
Congratulations, Debby, on receiving the Margaret
Thaler Singer Award!
ICSA 2022 Margaret Thaler Singer Award
Presentation by Lorna Goldberg
