Linda Fuller

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Linda Fuller, with her husband, Millard, founded Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). They launched the ecumenical Christian housing ministry in 1976, after pioneering a low-cost housing program in rural southwest (1968 - 1972) followed by three years of similar work in the African country of Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo(1973 - 1976). Since then, their leadership has helped forge this Christian movement into a worldwide housing ministry, standing as a beacon of success in the face of a low-income housing crisis.

While Linda was earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama , her husband and a fellow attorney began a marketing firm. Their business expertise and drive made them millionaires in their twenties. But as the business prospered, the Fullers' marriage suffered. This crisis prompted the Fullers to reevaluate their values and direction. Their "soul-searching" led to reconciliation with each other and to a renewal of their Christian commitment.

The Fullers then took a drastic step: they decided to sell all of their possessions, give the money to the poor, and begin searching for a new focus for their lives. This search led them to Koinonia Farm, a Christian community located near Americus , where people were looking for practical ways to apply Christ’s teachings.

With Koinonia founder Clarence Jordan and a few others, the Fullers initiated several partnership enterprises, including a ministry in housing. They chose to build houses on a no-profit, no-interest basis, thus making homes affordable to families with low incomes.

Each homeowner family was expected to invest their own labor into the building of their home and the homes of other families. This reduced the cost of the house, increased the pride of ownership, and fostered the development of positive relationships. Money for building was placed into a revolving fund. Money from the fund was then used to build more houses, and house payments were in turn made back into the fund, enabling the building of even more homes.

In 1973, the Fullers moved to Africa with their four children to test the model overseas. They were sponsored by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and worked in. The housing project was a success and became a working reality in that developing nation. The Fullers became convinced that this model could be expanded and applied all over the world. The no-profit, no-interest components of the program come from a passage in the Bible that says someone lending money to the poor should not act as a creditor and should not charge interest (Exodus 22:25).

Upon their return home in 1976, they met with members of the Koinonia community and several people from across the U.S. and decided to create a new, independent organization called Habitat for Humanity International and to devote all their energies to eliminating poverty housing throughout the world. When they were forced to leave Habitat for Humanity International, they founded a new organization called The Fuller Center of Housing to continue with their calling by raising funds to assist low-income housing groups in developing affordable housing.

One of the many prestigious awards Linda Fuller has received is the Harry S. Truman Public Service Award in 1994. She has also received seven honorary doctorate degrees.

In 2005, Linda co-authored Woman to Woman Wisdom, Inspiration for Real Life with Bettie Youngs and Donna Schuller [1].

     "Profound, a 'must have' book for legions of women. It is a tender work...and a serious one."
     —Maya Angelou
     "There is no substitute for 'woman to woman' wisdom that is shared from the heart and grounded in this truly lovely, inspirational book."
     —Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady of Georgia and the United States

Mrs. Fuller and her husband of more than four decades have four grown children and 8 grandchildren who live in Georgia, Florida and Texas.

[edit] Awards and Public Recognitions

  • 2005 The Extra Mile - Points of Light Volunteer Pathway dedicated in Washington D.C. honoring Millard and Linda with a medallion along with 19 other founders of U.S. organizations and movements. [2]
  • 2004 A Place To Call Home Award by The Zarrow Families and the Mental Health Association in Tulsa ;
  • 2003 Consumer of the Year Award by The Mental Health Consumer Network;
  • 2002 Points of Light Commemorative Medallion (co-recipient, Millard Fuller )
  • 2001 Brooks Hays Memorial Christian Citizenship Award (co-recipient with Millard Fuller) by Second Baptist Church , Little Rock, AR ; Mark O. Hatfield Leadership Award by Council for Christian Colleges and Universities;
  • 2000 Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award (co-recipient, Millard Fuller) by the Natl. Conf. for Community and Justice;
  • 1999 Award for Volunteerism and Philanthropy by Council of Independent Colleges;
  • 1998 Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement;
  • 1996 Ballington and Maud Booth Founders Award by Volunteers of (Centennial Year)
  • 1994 Harry S. Truman Public Service Award by City of Independence, Missouri ; Huntingdon College Alumni Achievement Award;
  • 1993 "Gracious Ladies of " Award;
  • 1990 Temple Award for Creative Altruism by The Institute of Noetic Sciences; Berea College Service Award
  • ==Honorary Doctorate Degrees==
  • 2003 St. Mary-of-the-Woods (IN)
  • 2001 The College of Saint Rose (NY)
  • 1999 Sterling College (KS)
  • 1998 California Lutheran University (CA), Northeastern University (MA)
  • 1995 Presbyterian College (SC)
  • 1994 Huntingdon College (AL)
  • 1993 Dallas Baptist University (TX)

[edit] Books authored

  • Woman to Woman Wisdom: Inspiration for REAL Life, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Co-Authored with Bettie Youngs and Donna Schuller, August 2005
  • Down Home Humor, HFHI Creative Services, Editor, 2001
  • Partners In The Kitchen: Simple, Decent Cooking, Favorite Recipes Press, Editor, 1997
  • Partners In The Kitchen: Home Sweet Habitat, Favorite Recipes Press, Editor, 1995
  • Partners In The Kitchen: From Our House To Yours, Favorite Recipes Press, Editor, 1993
  • The Excitement Is Building, Word, Inc., Co-Authored with Millard Fuller, 1990

[edit] Organizations

  • Miracle of Nazareth International Foundation, Founding Trustee
  • Simple Living TV Series, National Advisory Board
  • Peer Centers of Georgia, Inc. Co-Founder and President
  • Sumter County Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement/Mental Health Task Force, Founder and Chair
  • Visions for Sumter , Executive and Collaborative Board, 1992-Present
  • Migrant and Seasonal Housing, Inc., Founder (inactive)
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