Barbara Clementine Harris Research Paper
Background
Religious leader Barbara Clementine Harris was born on June 12, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Harris as a child regularly attended church with her parents, Walter and Beatrice Harris at the Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church. She then developed a strong bond with the church and its vision. After college, Harris was hired by Joseph Baker Associates, Inc., a personal relations firm. In 1958, she become the president of the company. Then in 1968 she was hired as the director of the Community Relations Department of the Sun Oil Company (Harris, Barbara C., http://www.blackpast.org/aah/harris-barbara-c-1930). Harris wanted to be a part of the civil rights struggle politically as an African America woman. Her participation in different …show more content…
movement activities with Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma, Alabama, focused Harris's attention on the importance of fighting injustice and inequality. In 1974, she lent her support to a group of Episcopal bishops who defied a ban on ordaining women as priests. Harris wanted to become a priest herself to support the rights of women in the church (Encyclopaedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com/biography/Barbara-Clementine-Harris).
Education and training
Harris attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls and was recognized as an outstanding Alumna for her professional work. After graduating from high school, Harris attended the Charles Morris Price School of Advertising and Journalism in Philadelphia, where she earned a certificate in 1950. From 1977 to 1979, she went on to receive special training designed for recruits to the Anglican clergy at the Metropolitan Collegiate Center and at Villanova University in England. She also graduated from the Foundation of Pastoral counselling (Episcopal News Service, http://www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-in/ENS/ENSpress_release.pl?pr_number=88202)
Accomplishments
After studying she became a deacon in September 1979. By October 1980, her dream became a reality as she was ordained as an Episcopal priest. Her early work was volunteering at her church and serving as a chaplain in local jails and prisons. She became the executive director of the Episcopal Church Publishing Company where she wrote for the liberal Episcopal magazine Witness and began to receive worldwide coverage in the Anglican community. On February 11, 1989, despite the opposition to women entering the priesthood, the death threats and obscene messages she received, Harris was willing to battle these challenges to her election as bishop. Her outspokenness won her admiration from many people. She then won the election and became the first female bishop in the Anglican Communion (Encyclopaedia Britannica, Barbara Clementine Harris, http://www.britannica.com/biography/Barbara-Clementine-Harris).
Impact
As a bishop, Harris continued her advocacy for women and ethnic minorities.
Harris spoke against those who still questioned the value of women priests, and welcomed the selection of other women as bishops. Having the support of many critics, she had a powerful voice in making church policy and programs. She was a leader both within and outside the church. Her elevation to bishop amazed many, as it provided an important example of how far women had come in their struggle for equality in mainline Protestant churches. Harris's main goal was to extend the boundaries of her church, continually pushing for a more progressive message from Episcopalians on issues of civil rights, sexism, and fairness (Barbara Clementine Harris Facts, http://biography.yourdictionary.com/barbara-clementine-harris). Harris's history as a social activist before joining the priesthood remained ingrained and served as a guide in all her religious actions. (Harris, Barbara C., http://www.blackpast.org/aah/harris-barbara-c-1930). After she died, the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center was developed as an Episcopal Diocese ministry (The Church Awakens, http://www.episcopalarchives.org/Afro-Anglican_history/exhibit/leadership/harris.php). Many people lent their hands to finish this project in honor of Harris. Harris was an activist critic of the status
quo.
Religious leader Barbara Clementine Harris was born on June 12, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Harris as a child regularly attended church with her parents, Walter and Beatrice Harris at the Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church. She then developed a strong bond with the church and its vision. After college, Harris was hired by Joseph Baker Associates, Inc., a personal relations firm. In 1958, she become the president of the company. Then in 1968 she was hired as the director of the Community Relations Department of the Sun Oil Company (Harris, Barbara C., http://www.blackpast.org/aah/harris-barbara-c-1930). Harris wanted to be a part of the civil rights struggle politically as an African America woman. Her participation in different …show more content…
movement activities with Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma, Alabama, focused Harris's attention on the importance of fighting injustice and inequality. In 1974, she lent her support to a group of Episcopal bishops who defied a ban on ordaining women as priests. Harris wanted to become a priest herself to support the rights of women in the church (Encyclopaedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com/biography/Barbara-Clementine-Harris).
Education and training
Harris attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls and was recognized as an outstanding Alumna for her professional work. After graduating from high school, Harris attended the Charles Morris Price School of Advertising and Journalism in Philadelphia, where she earned a certificate in 1950. From 1977 to 1979, she went on to receive special training designed for recruits to the Anglican clergy at the Metropolitan Collegiate Center and at Villanova University in England. She also graduated from the Foundation of Pastoral counselling (Episcopal News Service, http://www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-in/ENS/ENSpress_release.pl?pr_number=88202)
Accomplishments
After studying she became a deacon in September 1979. By October 1980, her dream became a reality as she was ordained as an Episcopal priest. Her early work was volunteering at her church and serving as a chaplain in local jails and prisons. She became the executive director of the Episcopal Church Publishing Company where she wrote for the liberal Episcopal magazine Witness and began to receive worldwide coverage in the Anglican community. On February 11, 1989, despite the opposition to women entering the priesthood, the death threats and obscene messages she received, Harris was willing to battle these challenges to her election as bishop. Her outspokenness won her admiration from many people. She then won the election and became the first female bishop in the Anglican Communion (Encyclopaedia Britannica, Barbara Clementine Harris, http://www.britannica.com/biography/Barbara-Clementine-Harris).
Impact
As a bishop, Harris continued her advocacy for women and ethnic minorities.
Harris spoke against those who still questioned the value of women priests, and welcomed the selection of other women as bishops. Having the support of many critics, she had a powerful voice in making church policy and programs. She was a leader both within and outside the church. Her elevation to bishop amazed many, as it provided an important example of how far women had come in their struggle for equality in mainline Protestant churches. Harris's main goal was to extend the boundaries of her church, continually pushing for a more progressive message from Episcopalians on issues of civil rights, sexism, and fairness (Barbara Clementine Harris Facts, http://biography.yourdictionary.com/barbara-clementine-harris). Harris's history as a social activist before joining the priesthood remained ingrained and served as a guide in all her religious actions. (Harris, Barbara C., http://www.blackpast.org/aah/harris-barbara-c-1930). After she died, the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center was developed as an Episcopal Diocese ministry (The Church Awakens, http://www.episcopalarchives.org/Afro-Anglican_history/exhibit/leadership/harris.php). Many people lent their hands to finish this project in honor of Harris. Harris was an activist critic of the status
quo.