Our ‘Hidden Figures’

Presbyterian Women paved the way to establish the modern-day Presbyterian World Mission

April 21, 2017

As Presbyterian World Mission celebrates its 180th anniversary this year, it’s worth noting that well over 200 years ago Presbyterian Women were organizing around mission, both domestically and internationally. In fact, these “hidden figures” first put a missionary in the domestic field in 1824.

In 1833, when the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. was ready to deploy missionaries around the world, the governing body turned to the women of the church to learn how to begin this work since they had already established mechanisms for missionary support around the country.

Video URL:  https://vimeo.com/204072529

“Presbyterian Women has a legacy of creating structures and programs for the church,” says Susan Jackson-Dowd, executive director of Presbyterian Women. “What they do is create a program, hand it off to the church, then imagine something new that the church needs.”

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study, the Hunger Program, and the Peacemaking program are all ministries for which Presbyterian Women have provided the impetus over the years. More recently, Jackson-Dowd points out, Presbyterian Women became the first antiracist organization in the church and began the first antiracism training in the PC(USA)—which is now being implemented by the whole church.

This history of Presbyterian Women strikes a deep chord for Jackson-Dowd. She is committed to carrying on the legacy of the women who imagined the organization she serves when they organized themselves around mission so many years ago.

“It’s both humbling and amazing to look back and see the [work] Presbyterian Women have done,” she says. “The impact of the organization throughout the world has been incredible.”

Paul Seebeck, communications strategist, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Today’s Focus:  Our ‘Hidden Figures’

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Mission Co-Worker

Sarah Henken, Colombia
Rebecca Hinderliter, Lithuania
Jo Ella Holman, Caribbean

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Laura Bryan, PMA                                                                       
Lucy Bryant, FDN             

Let us pray:

God of grace, be present with us as we celebrate your daughters who, with your help, have built communities that reflect your love. For women, young and old who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you, O God, we give you thanks and praise. Give us your peace, which surpasses our understanding, and watch over our hearts and our minds as we rest in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Daily Readings

Morning Psalms 96; 148
First Reading Daniel 12:1-4, 13
Second Reading Acts 4:1-12
Gospel Reading John 16:1-15
Evening Psalms 49; 138