By Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell
In the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin, we have much to celebrate for Women’s History Month. Did you know our American Baptist Churches have led the way for women in ministry?
- In 1847, Ruby Knapp Bixby was licensed to preach by the Honey Creek Baptist Church.
- In 1896, Eliza Symmonds Paulig was ordained as the pastor of Washington Island Baptist Church.
- In 1999, Rev. Dr. Trinette V. McCray was elected as the first clergywoman president of ABCUSA
- In 2014, Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri was the first woman to become the regional executive minister for ABCWI.
- In 2022, ABCWI became the first ABC region to have back-to-back women regional executive ministers by calling Rev. Mindi-Welton-Mitchell.
God has indeed been at work calling women into ministry here in Wisconsin! At one point, our region was ordaining more women than any other region. We celebrate Women’s History Month as part of our overall history together and how God will break through any human barriers we may place. We celebrate the gifts women bring to ministry: as ministers, chaplains, Christian Education teachers and directors, Bible study leaders, ushers, deacons, mission leaders, and much more! Celebrate the women in your church by sharing about the women involved in your church’s ministry and honor the women in your church this month.
From left to right:
Pastor Eliza Shirley Symonds Paulig, Rev. Dr. Trinette V. McCray, Rev. Dr. Marie P. Onwubuariri, and Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell
