March 8, 2011
Recognizing International Women's Day
Today, March 8, marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. Around the world, many events are occurring to recognize the economic, political and social achievements of women of the past, present, and future.
According to recent research, 60% of the Division's 1.1 million membership is made up of women. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America is grateful for the role women have played in the contribution to the mission of the Church.
Listed below are just a few women pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America. Those noted (as well as those not noted) have been instrumental in leadership roles such as educators, health care professionals, missionaries, bible workers and pastors and so much more. We applaud their achievements and honor their legacy for what they have done to make our Church what it is today.
Martha D. Byington Amadon (1834 - 1937) - First Dorcas Society president; taught in one of the first church schools.
Lottie Blake (1876 - 1972) - First African-American Seventh-day Adventist woman physician. Established the school of nursing at Oakwood College; directed the Rock City Sanitarium.
Del Delker - Contralto soloist for the Voice of Prophecy radio broadcast. Has made 70 recordings and 32 solo albums.
Dr. Eva Dykes (1893 - 1986) - Musician and educator for over 50 years. First Seventh-day Adventist woman to receive a Ph.D. in the United States, graduating from Radcliffe in 1921. Taught at Walden and Howard Universities and Oakwood College.
Jessie Halliwell - Missionary nurse who, with her pilot husband, supplied the only medical care to thousands along the Amazon River for 38 years.
Chessie Harris (1906 - 1997) - Educator and humanitarian. More than 1,200 children have received care at the Harris Home in Huntsville, Alabama. Recognized in 1987 as one of America's Unsung Heroines, she was also honored by President George Bush.
Maria L. Huntley (1847 - 1890) - President, Tract and Missionary Society, which later became Church Ministries and Publishing departments and the Adventist Book Centers. Only woman other than Ellen White to address the 1888 General Conference Session.
Anna Knight (1874 - 1972) - The daughter of ex-slave sharecroppers, she read herself into the Adventist faith through the Signs of the Times. Graduated in nursing from Battle Creek College in 1898. Built a self-supporting school for Blacks in Mississippi.
Juanita Kretschmar - Humanitarian, prayer warrior and speaker. Started New York City Van Ministry and Good News Network.
Dr. Katherine (Kate) Lindsey (1842 - 1923) - Founder of first nurses' training school at Battle Creek Sanitarium in 1883.
Annie Rebekah Smith (1828 - 1855) - While the James Whites traveled, she published the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald. Annie was the older sister of Uriah Smith and the same age as Ellen White.
Ellen Gould Harmon White (1827 - 1915) - Early leader and prophetess of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was a popular speaker, preacher, and counselor to individuals and institutions. Author of 126 books and compilations.
Check out the following stories in the March 2011 edition of Adventist World (NAD edition): “Women in the Wings” (page 17) and “North American Division Responds to enditnow” (page 32-37).
Note: For a larger list of women, who are important to the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, please click here.
--- Pastor Dan Jackson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America.
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Topic: Women's Day (Read 6512 times)
