WOMEN IN SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST HISTORY, A LEGACY OF FAITH RECAP
Throughout the annals of Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) history, God has poured into countless women, empowering them to pour into others for His glory. Their legacy is an enduring testament to faith, endurance, and the transformative power of stories. Which was all captured during the first Women In Seventh-Day Adventist History Conference, on the Washington Adventist University Campus, at Sligo Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
While learning their histories, we were prompted to reflect: What legacy are we creating?
Take the example of Olympian Allison Felix. An African American runner, Felix experienced a drastic cut in her sponsorship by 70% when she and her husband decided to start a family. Standing against this injustice, Felix’s brave stance not only secured her rights but paved the way for countless other female athletes. It’s a contemporary narrative of perseverance and faith, mirroring Hebrews 12’s call to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”
The recent Women in Adventist History conference resonated with this message. A stellar lineup of speakers graced the event, including Ella Simmons, Anneke Stasson, Ann Roda, Laura Vance, Heidi Olson Campbell, Celeste Ryan Blyden, DeeAnn Bragaw, and Sandy Roberts. Their collective insights and shared histories brought depth and dimension to the narratives of women in the SDA community.
The recent Women in Seventh-Day Adventist History conference resonated with this message. Michael Campbell, Director of Archives, Statistics, & Research at the North American Division of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (NAD), said, “The response was overwhelmingly positive. We had planned for 150 attendees but ended up with 160. Although participants desired more of the same content next year, our plan is to share different information each time. Next year’s event will be held at a sister school on the west coast, focusing on the “Environment”.”
One of the standout moments for Campbell was listening to the young students, particularly a theology student from Washington Adventist University named Tiara Best. Best shared, “The conference was inspiring. As a woman in ministry, hearing stories of women leaders who weren’t always recognized was uplifting. God’s call, not human acknowledgment, is what’s crucial. I’m motivated to live in their legacy and make an impact for God’s kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
DeeAnn Bragaw, Director of Women’s Ministry with the NAD and a presenter during the conference, was also deeply moved by the event. She remarked, “It was amazing to see people from all parts of the country and the world attending. I was happy to see the support of so many men who were advocating for women and supporting them. I was especially ecstatic about the students from WAU who participated. Especially one non-SDA student who expressed she was amazed at how forward-thinking SDAs were at a time when women were not as valued in society.”
Students from Washington Adventist University (WAU) who attended the event provided a glimpse into their experience: “The Women in Adventist History was both informational and rewarding. Students involved took a course taught by Dr. Campbell, who organized the event. We were involved in multiple aspects from presentations, set-up, registration to leading praise and worship.” The culmination of the conference featured hymns composed by women, led by students including Carissa Desjardins, Richard Machado, Catusha Desjardins, and Charis McCroy on the piano.
In this conference the stories and histories, the legacy of faith became evident. As we look back, it’s essential not only to celebrate the past but also to draw inspiration for the future, ensuring that the work we do today leaves a lasting impact for the glory of God’s name.