Williamson was said to be well-liked among the congregation, with 90 percent voting to approve her proposal to dissolve the church's formal affiliation with Unity Church and make it an interfaith spiritual center with a broader mission. But board members were reportedly "alienated" by and staff members "fearful" of her temper. Williamson scoffed at accusations that she was overly intimidating, and rebuffed them with a Marlo Thomas quote: "For a man to be considered ruthless, he has to bomb Cambodia. For a woman to be considered ruthless she has to put you on hold". A small group of longtime congregants, led by an attorney, threatened a lawsuit against her in order to prevent her from severing ties with the Unity Church.