Daughters of Thunder: Black Women Preachers and Their Sermons, 1850–1979

Hear the original voices of the Daughters of Thunder, African American women preachers who helped change history in their fight for social justice for women and Blacks.In this historic collection of never–before–published sermons by African American women preachers, Bettye Collier–Thomas gives voice to the long–ignored founding mothers of the African American church. Daughters of Thunder brings together thirty–eight sermons by African American women, some ordained, some not, illuminating the historic struggles of these women as they fought not only for basic civil rights, but for a voice in their own churches.

Preface. Acknowledgments. Introduction: The Power of Black Women Preachers Textual Note Rising Above Adversity: The Struggle to Preach. PURSUING A MINISTRY ORDAINED BY GOD, 1850–1900. Women Who Paved the Way. Julia A. J. Foote: A `Threshing′ Sermon (1851) Christian Perfection (1894). Harriet A. BakerBehold: The Man (ca 1874–1892) Jesus Weeping over Jerusalem (ca 1874–1892). Mary J. Small: Zion′s Mission Work (1898). CLAIMING THE POWER OF THE PULPIT, 1900–1979. Florence Spearing Randolph: Hope (1898 and 1945) The FriAnds of Wickedness (1909) Antipathy to Women Preachers (ca. 1930) If I Were White (1941) Christian Perfection (1926) Conversion (1931) Woman, the Builder of Her House (1909) Looking Backward and Forward (1943) Leaning the Wrong Way (1934). Mary G. Evans: The Wages of Sin Is Death (1922). Ella Eugene Whitfield: Salvation Is a Discovery Found in Jesus Christ (1926) Making a Home a Safe Place for All That Enter Its Doors (1926). Ruth R. Dennis: What Are We Going to Do with the Children? (1927) Thousands Losing Faith in the Church (1927). Mrs. Raiff: Get the Right Ticket (1927). Rosa A. Horn: Was a Woman Called to Preach? Yes! (ca. 1930s) Is Jesus God the Father or Is He the Son of God? (ca. 1931) What Is Holiness? A Complete Life in Christ (ca. 1930s). Ida B. Robinson: Who Shall Be Able to Stand? (1934) Can These Bones Live? (1934) The Economic Persecution (1935) And a Little Child Shall Lead Them (1935). Rosa Edwards: Ministers Are Examples (1935). Quinceila Whitlow: The Woman in the Ministry of Jesus Christ (1940). F. E. Redwine: What Woman Is (1948). Pauli Murray: Male and Female He Created Them (1978) Women Seeking Admission to Holy OrdersCAs Crucifers Carrying the Cross (1974) Mary Has Chosen the Best Part (1977) The Holy Spirit (1977) The Gift of the Holy Spirit (1977) The Dilemma of the Minority Christian (1974) Salvation and Liberation (1979) Can These Bones Live Again (1978). Epilogue: Forging Ahead Toward Equality. Notes. Selected Bibliography. Thematic Index of Sermons. Index. Epilogue: Forging Ahead Toward Equality.

BETTYE COLLIER–THOMAS is associate professor of history and director of the Temple University Center for African American History and Culture. She is the founding executive director of the Bethune Museum–Archives, Inc., the first institution in the United States to focus on the documentation and preservation of African American women′s history. Collier–Thomas′s research focuses on African American women, popular culture, and religion.

"This book is hard evidence that the churches have been deprived of a rich resource by their reluctance to receive women preachers. . . . These messages ring with passion and sincerity . . . they break through our narrow limits and speak generously about things that matter most." (Samuel D. Proctor, Martin Luther King, Jr., Professor Emeritus, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey) "An original, distinguished, and matchless contribution to a greatly neglected study." (Ella Pearson Mitchell, former dean of the chapel at Spelman College and mentor with the doctoral program at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio) "Daughters of Thunder is a singular event in women′s history, particularly African American women′s history. . . . A priceless reference work in the history of Christian preaching that will revitalize the preaching of the twenty first century." (Cheryl TownsAnd Gilkes, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur associate professor of African American studies and sociology, Colby College) "A sensitive, well–researched reevaluation of the contributions of African American women to the spiritual development of our culture." (C. Eric Lincoln, William Kenan Rand Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture (emeritus), Duke University)