IAWM 100th Anniversary Assembly in Pittsburgh in 2019
100 Years of IAWM
Reflections by Jean H. Henderson (2019)
“Dawn will never come if the heralds of dawn keep silence.”
(Anonymous 19th century woman, on the relationship between women and the church)
Twenty-five years ago, Beverly James, past president of IAWM, began her written greeting to the 75th anniversary assembly attendees with those words. Thanks to thousands of women in the church, the dawn is coming because more and more of us are not keeping silent!
On November 21, 1919, at the YWCA in St. Louis, MO, four officers were elected to run the newly formed International Association of Women Preachers:
- Rev. Dr. M. Madeline Southard, President
- Rev. Miss Lida M. Herrick, Recording Secretary
- Rev. Mrs. Ella. L. Kroft, Treasurer
- Rev. Mrs. Mary Sibbitt, Auditor
For a time, the group was known as the American Association of Women Ministers. Its present name was adopted in 1971.
Annual assemblies followed in many states in the United States of America including IL. IN, MI, OH, MN, WI, OH,IA, KS, NH, CA, MT, ME, DC, CO, KY, TX, CT, NY, GA, PA, TN, MO, NM, and OR. Assemblies have been held in Canada, England, Cuba, New Zealand, Germany, Scotland, and Hungary.
The AAWM supported the first Equal Rights Amendment to the USA Constitution introduced in 1943. Also, in 1943, the Lucretia Mott sesquicentennial celebration called for a fifth freedom for all nations: freedom for women as described by the resolution drawn up by Ms. Mott in 1848. During World War II, AAWM called for women chaplains in the US Military, at least in the women’s corps. Both men and women in the military refused to support recruitment of women as chaplains but Lt. Eleanor G. Collie, an ordained minister, was assigned as a chaplain’s assistant.
Since WWII, two major activities of IAWM have been monitoring the opening up of the ordained ministry to women in countries around the world as well as supporting ordained and lay women in their ministries around the world.
The Woman’s Pulpit has served as our journal for 100 years, first edited by our founder, Dr. Southard. Over the years, Mary Lyons, Florence Jardine, Fontella Lin and others have been editors. From 1972 to this day, Rev. Dr. LaVonne Althouse has served as editor, faithfully using her God-given gifts to produce a first-class publication. Every IAWM member receives the Pulpit, as well as dozens of seminary libraries.
For almost 50 years, our organization has broadened its perspective and has been enriched by the involvement of women from many different countries and continents. We have also been enriched by our collaborations with other associations, such as the World Council and the National Council of Churches, Church Women United, the Ecumenical Decade of Women, and the International Federation of University Women.
In 1990, a ‘chapter’ of IAWM was chartered in Pittsburgh PA USA. The group continues to meet monthly and has hosted two IAWM assemblies in Pittsburgh: the 80th and 90th. The group also holds an over-night winter retreat, a summer picnic, an Advent special event, our annual meeting and luncheon, and an annual daily trek to Chautauqua Institution in New York State. Strong friendships have been formed over the years and continue to be a blessing to the 40+ clergy involved. In the last several years, many younger clergy have become involved to the great joy of the older members who chartered the group 30 years ago.
Our prayer is that the dawn will become brighter and brighter as women continue to refuse to keep silence in the church in the next 100 years!
IAWM 100th ANNIVERSARY HYMN
Tune: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God for saints and seers;
Praise God for IAWM,
our hope for a hundred years.
Praise God for women brave and true
whose gifts proclaimed their Lord;
in tribulations, still they preached
the God whom they adored.
Praise God for congregations brave
whose doors were opened wide
to clergy women round the world,
together, side by side.
Praise God for friends and family
whose understanding ways
allowed for forging paths anew
for silenced songs to raise.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God whom we adore;
Praise God for IAWM,
our hope forevermore!
Words by Jean H. Henderson
“HERITAGE AND HOPE”
75th ANNIVERSARY HYMN
Tune: St. Anne
For heritage and hope, dear Lord,
for justice and for love;
for Spirit gifts on women poured,
we praise you, God above!
Creator God of heav’n and earth,
we sing our strong Amen;
for in your goodness you gave birth
to IAWM.
Redeemer God, in Christ you came
to set your people free.
Let ordained women, in your name,
serve with equality!
Sustainer God, sweet dove of peace,
our Comforter and Judge;
for women round the world, release
your fruits of joy and love!
For heritage and hope, dear Lord,
in gratitude we sing;
and pray renewal, with accord,
the years ahead will bring!
Words by Jean H. Henderson