JANS – In The Devotional for Black Women, Chelsea La’nere Brown writes, “Black women have something amazing within them that they should recognize, accept, and share with others.” Founder and leader of the National Baptist Convention Woman’s Missionary Society, Nannie Helen Burroughs declares, “The story of Black womanhood’s nobility must be told.” It is these truths that are illustrated at Farish Street M.B. Church, 619 N. Farish St., Jackson, in their annual celebration of Woman’s Day. The church acknowledges that Black women make a unique contribution to the kingdom of God.
On April 28, 2024, the Woman’s Missionary Society of the Farish Street M.B. Church celebrated Woman’s Day. For this year’s observance, the theme was “Stepping into Our Destiny with Faith in God,” and the scripture was Jeremiah 29:11-13. The guest speaker was Angela D. Stewart, Archivist at the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University. She has been a member of the Farish Street M.B. Church for most of her life. Dr. Ursula Harris, the first vice president of the Woman’s Missionary Society, presided over the event. Clemontine Whitaker was named the 2024 Rosie Mitchell/Sadie Hendricks Woman of the Year. She has been a member of Farish Street M.B. Church for 62 years. Instilled in her by her parents were three values: religion, education, and community service. In addition to being a retired educator from Jackson Public Schools, she is also a graduate of Jackson State University. In addition to being a former church choir president, she is currently serving as chair of the Mitchell/Hendricks Woman of the Year Committee. Alisa McDonald provided special music for the event.
The Woman’s Missionary Society was founded at Farish Street Baptist Church in 1934. A dedicated and visionary missionary leader, Mrs. Willie Bracey became president of the Woman’s Missionary Society in 1951 and served until 1955. The first Woman’s Day Observance program was organized by Bracey in 1952. As a result of a personal friendship between Bracey and Dr. Margaret Walker Alexander, Dr. Alexander was unanimously selected to speak at the first Woman’s Day celebration. The Farish Street M.B. Church has been celebrating Woman’s Day each year since that time in order to invigorate, praise, promote, and acknowledge the contributions made by women in the field of Christian outreach and to bring together the church family and the community.
Currently, Dr. Delores Hopkins is serving as president of the Woman’s Missionary Society. The pastoral leadership of Farish Street M.B. Church is comprised of the following individuals: Rev. Dr. Hickman M. Johnson, Senior Pastor; Rev. Eric Williams, Executive Pastor; Rev. Dr. Marian Y. Talley, Associate Minister; and Rev. Phil George, Associate Minister.
