Women making strides in Black denominations amid hesitancy
Francine A. Brookins (center) walks with Bishop Anne Byfield (center left) and Bishop Vashti McKenzie (center right) to the stage after Brookins was elected during the African Methodist Episcopal Church conference in July. (Photo courtesy of the AME Church)
Women in Black Baptist circles knew that it was only a matter of time before one of their own was named to lead a major church organization.
Female clergy describe having a sense of anticipation for years before the elevation of Gina Stewart this summer to president of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society, a 124-year-old movement of about 10,000 volunteers and contributors based in Maryland.
“We knew Gina Stewart was going to become the president in 2021,” said Leslie Callahan, pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Callahan said “there was excitement and energy” as Stewart rose in the ranks of the society.
