AME Women in Ministry Elections Prove You Must Be in the Room

AME Women in Ministry Elections Prove You Must Be in the Room

By Rev. Tamesha Mills, M.Div. (1st)

The Color Purple flooded Short North Ballroom A in the Columbus, OH Convention Center as women in ministry prepared to cast their vote for the next Connectional AME Women in Ministry (WIM) Executive Board. The sound of joy and laughter filled the room as clergy snapped photos with women throughout our 20 districts of the church. A long line and a lengthy election process did not prevent over 400 women throughout the connection from ensuring they were in the room to cast their vote on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 3pm. AME WIM Presidential candidate Rev. Dr. Lola Russell from the 6th District said, “The fact that this room is filled with voters speaks to the reality that even though we don’t often pastor the largest churches, we are still willing to make sacrifices to be an important part of our church and its decisions.” The women were in the room. 

After hours of counting paper ballots with the help of the AME WIM esteemed consultants, the following were elected as the new Connectional AME WIM 2024-2028 Executive Board: Joy Gallmon, President, 4th District; Mila Cooper, First Vice President, 3rd District; Jacquita Wright-Henderson, 2nd Vice President, 1st District; Lerato Pitso, Third Vice President, 19th District; Marion Crayton, Corresponding Secretary, 2nd District; Stephanie Raglin, Treasurer, 13th District; Nordia Henry, Statistician, 16th District; Stephanie Atkins – Herstoriographer, 1st District; Moikanyi M. Kgositluo, Worship Leader, 19th District; and Betty Schroder, Central/South African Coordinator, 15th District. Rev. Dr. Erika Crawford notes, “The results of the elections reflect the intentional work of Women in Ministry to be an inclusive, empowering and uplifting component of the church,” with 40% of its new Connectional Executive Board from outside the continental United States representing districts 15, 16 and 19. The new executive board will be seated during a transition meeting scheduled to take place in October 2024 and the official installation of the officers will take place at the seat of the 2025 General Board meeting.  

In this 2024-2028 Election, 6 out of 12 positions ran unopposed: 1st Vice President, Second Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, Worship Leader, Statistician, and Central Southern Africa (CSA) Coordinator. Four of the remaining positions, President, 3rd Vice President, Treasurer and Herstoriagrapher, awaited the outcome of elections of candidates who shared for the last time their qualifications and vision for their particular offices. Two offices, General Secretary and Financial Secretary are vacant and will be appointed come October 2024 by the new administration. As the Elections Committee readied the ballots those gathered received words of wisdom from retiring general officer and historiographer, Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry-Brown as well as retiring Bishop E. Anne Henning-Byfield who reiterated how far WIM has come and how much further WIM must go. WIM members and voters expressed their appreciation and satisfaction with her leadership by offering a standing ovation to Rev. Dr. Erika Crawford, 8-year AME WIM Connectional President and Candidate for Bishop. Rev. Orsella Hughes, 16-year WIM member and pastor in the 1st District said, “I’m optimistic about this next administration because our current president, Rev. Dr. Erika Crawford has set us up for success. So I’m confident that success won’t stop just because she is not in leadership in WIM but rather we will carry the torch in her honor.” Leadership was in the room. 

In the room was also Bishop Francine Brookins, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson and Bishop Frederick A. Wright Sr., AME WIM Commission Chair who proclaimed proudly his advocacy for Women in Ministry by stating, “From my mother’s womb I was connected to women in ministry…I told the Lord, If you ever put me in a position where I can bless and help a woman in ministry I will do so.” The Rev. Jacquelyn Grant received applause at her presence and her work throughout the years as a pioneer member of Women in Ministry. It was her scholarly paper on the status of women and female ministers in the AME Church almost 50 years ago that kickstarted the recognition of women in ministry in the denomination and WIM as an organized group. Legends were in the room. 

While some expressed their frustration with the “no campaigning” rule within AMEWIM they also understood that it fosters equity and justice amongst all districts, context and economic statuses. As members awaited the election results after switching from electronic to paper ballot they still seemed optimistic and hopeful for the future of WIM in the AME Church. They are committed to being “In the room” when it comes to major decisions within our church.