Breaking through the Extra-Thick Stained-Glass Ceiling: African American Baptist Women in Ministry

Abstract

This article examines the state of African American Baptist women in ministry, historically and currently. Comparing views of women among the nine historically African American denominations, Baptists appear to be the most discriminatory. The author offers a historical overview with explanations of impediments to African American Baptist women's full inclusion in church leadership, Baptist or otherwise, and describes ways African American women have maneuvered around these obstacles to obey their callings. Drawing from available data from Baptist denominations, seminaries, and secondary literature, the article summarizes and assesses the current state of African American Baptist women in ministry with observations to interpret the data. Three “herstories”—histories of women—offer case studies of African American Baptist women in ministry to introduce some of the obstacles that African American Baptist women in ministry in general face in pursuing pastoral ministry. The article ends with suggestions for how affirmers of women in ministry and local churches can better support African American Baptist women in ministry. While there are more opportunities for African American Baptist women than ever before, there is still much farther to go. As Ella Baker used to say, “We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.”