By Rev. Tashara Void, Columnist
The Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry Brown Womanist Discourse Luncheon opened with the Pastor Will Thomas of Bethel AME – Lithonia welcoming all the esteemed leaders and members to the celebration of Dr. Fry Brown’s leadership, scholarship, and mentorship.
Presiding Elder Toni Belin Ingram recognized all the alumni of Candler School of Theology before stating the occasion. She highlighted Dr. Fry Brown’s many accomplishments, in particular her historic appointment as the 1st African-American woman tenured professor at Candler School of Theology. She emphasized how Dr. Fry Brown “taught women to read… to hear the Lord speak to them in the text… to speak in their own particular voice… and that they could whisper or talk really loud” when spaces were often unloving and unkind to them. In light of Dr. Fry Brown’s embodiment of wisdom and beacon of hope, PE Ingram proudly announced the Teresa Fry Brown Womanist Discourse Scholarship, a fund to aid “all the women who will work on the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees” at Candler School of Theology. The endowed scholarship will launch September 1, 2024, which marks Dr. Fry Brown’s 30 years of scholarship, leadership, and mentorship at Candler School of Theology and the first African-American women tenured at Candler.
Rev. Dr. Dominique A. Robinson shared her own journey with Dr. Fry Brown before making a financial appeal to raise the $250,000 necessary for the endowed scholarship. Several attendees responded by collectively pledging a total of $125,000. (This does not include pledges received prior to the luncheon.) She asked that checks be made to Candler School of Theology with the TFB Scholarship in the memo section. The information can also be found on the Candler School of Theology page. She closed her appeal by stressing the importance of the endowed scholarship. “We are investing in our people, so our stories can be told.”
With tears of gratitude in her eyes, Dr. Fry Brown thanked those who took “time at the beginning of this General Conference” to honor and recognize her. “I was raised to do the work whether anyone knew you were doing it or not” she emotionally shared. Recognizing that “black women enter higher education with more debt and take 15 years to get from up under it” she underscored the importance of the work done with the endowment, as it is “vital to the next generation of black women.” She informed the audience that her retirement in the AME Church would not stop her work in the academy, as she will remain the academic dean and is currently completing her law degree to advocate for black women and their health. She was presented with flowers by Rev. Raushanah N. Butler, who is living history in her own right as the first and only preacher in her family. She, like so many before her, attributes her success to Dr. Fry Brown stating “because of what you pour into me, I’m able to pour into my daughter, and she’s able to pour into her classmates… Your legacy will live on in people you will never meet.”
Closing prayer was given with deep humility and deep gratitude by Dr. Shively Smith who offered her personal testimony. “You saw me when no one saw me and knew my name when I was in the library alone. You saw me when I was in the hallway and everyone was talking about everyone else….It still doesn’t measure up to what it meant for you to kick down those doors. Thank you.” She offered the closing benediction:
We are grateful for the way she has stirred up the memories, the gratitude, the energy that changes lives.
We are grateful for the way she has opened doors.
We are grateful for the ways she has seen what has yet to be seen.
We are grateful for the ways she has spoken in spaces which wanted silence.
Let us leave this place with gratitude, celebration, and deep memory.
It is in Jesus’ name that we are grateful for the koinonia, legacy, and spirit of this space. AMEN.
The luncheon concluded with a photo of all Candler Alumni and AME Scholars who were present.
Thanks for the good work