Who we are

California Conference
Women's Missionary Society
Historical and Service Summary

Organized
September 20, 1924


Background

The works of missions and organized missionary endeavors are a major thrust of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. The first-known missionary endeavor for women began in 1824 when Richard Allen organized the Dorcas Society. The major emphasis of the Society was caring for men who were laboring to establish and expand the AME Church. They carried out this mission until 1827. From this humble initiative, what we now know as the Women's Missionary Society expanded and galvanized women of the AME

Church into a knowledgeable and global mission force committed to definite and clearly defined mission goals, activities, and obligations that command major contributions of time, talent, and resources. Present-day mission initiatives are global in scope and extend beyond the continental United States to Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, and India.

Records reflect that the 'California' Women's Missionary Society (WMS) was established in 1924, under the leadership of Mrs. Audrey Roberts. Due to the distance between churches, the California WMS was divided into northern and southern areas. Mrs. Candice Sadler, first vice-president, was appointed chairperson of the Northern Area, and Mrs. Alice Young, second vice-president, was appointed chairperson of the Southern Area. Throughout the years, the dedicated women who have served as president of the California Conference.

Under the Episcopal Leadership of the Fifth District & California Conference

Bishop and Mrs. H. Blanton Parks
Bishop and Mrs. William D. Johnson
Bishop and Mrs. Noah W. Williams
Bishop and Mrs. D. Ormonde Walker
Bishop and Mrs. Fredrick D. Jordan
Bishop and Mrs. Richard. R. Wright, Jr.
Bishop and Mrs. H. Thomas Primm
Bishop and Mrs. Harrison J. Bryant
Bishop and Mrs. H. Hartford Brookins
Bishop and Mrs. Henry W. Murph
Bishop and Mrs. Vinton R. Anderson
Bishop and Mrs. Vernon R. Byrd
Bishop and Mrs. John R. Bryant
Bishop and Mrs. T. Larry Kirkland
Bishop and Mrs. Clement W. Fugh
Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Esq. and Rev. Dr. Miriam Burnett, MPH

Our Legacy of Leadership

Mrs. Lydia Smith Ward
Mrs. Florence Harris
Mrs. Fannie M. Fletcher
Mrs. Mary P. King
Mrs. Mae E. Hill
Mrs. Effie Bryant
Mrs. Audrey Roberts

Mrs. Ann Davis
Mrs. Cleo B. Love
Mrs. Tessie P. Hill
Mrs. Mary Kidd
Mrs. Olga Boyd
Mrs. Hazel Keller
Mrs. Judy Burwell

Mrs. Mary Austin
Mrs. Esther Hemphill
Mrs. Rosalie Gibson
Mrs. Helen Kelley
Mrs. Melba Brown

Presidents Through the Years

Mrs. Laura Winn
Mrs. Opal Holland
Mrs. Marquita Pinkard
Mrs. Gloria J. Thompson
Mrs. Blanche L. Williams
Mrs. Arsie L. Anderson
Mrs. Rita L. Walker
Ms. Irma Douglas Lastra
Mrs. Alice Johnson
Ms. Idella Hill
Mrs. Alice M. Johnson

1976 - 1978
1979 - 1980
1980 - 1981
1981 - 1984
1984 - 1986
1986 - 1996 1996 - 2000
2000 - 2009 2009 - 2016 2017 - 2018 2018 - present

Some of the California Conference WMS Outreach Highlights:

  • Child Abuse Prevention Training Center (Oakland, CA): Provided monetary donations and services.

  • War Against Hunger and Homelessness (Conference Initiative): Provided food and clothing to support programs.

  • Mandella House - Oakland, CA: Provided financial contributions to support a program for mothers recovering from addiction and their children.

  • Richmond Rescue Mission, Richmond, CA: Provided financial contributions to support homeless families and services provided at the Mission (employment training, drug recovery support, etc.).

  • Mission Safe (Oakland, CA): Provided food, clothing, and linens to support the homeless men who sought refuge.

  • Pavarello House (Fresno, CA): Provided financial contribution to support homeless senior citizens who sought refuge.

  • Judy Davis Marrow Donor Program (Episcopal District Initiative): Conducted marrow donor recruitment drives to increase potential donors from the African-American population into the National Marrow Donor Registry throughout the Conference region.

  • Bootheel Mission Project (Episcopal District Initiative) - Volunteers: Throughout the District, the southeast region of Missouri, to do short-term service in the areas of health, education, social services, etc.

  • Missionaries on the Move (MOM) - (Conference Initiative): Provided assistance to agencies through the California Conference that provide services to low-income infants, women, and families.

  • International Mission Projects (Episcopal District Initiatives/Pilgrimages): International mission initiatives have included Turkey, South Africa, Zambia, Lesotho, the Holy Land, Alaska, etc.

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