As the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) celebrates the 150th anniversary of Disciples Women on October 21, 2024, we honor an extraordinary journey that began with the founding of the Christian Woman’s Board of Missions (CWBM) on October 21, 1874. From its inception, the CWBM set a new standard for missionary work, educational outreach, and the empowerment of women, becoming a driving force for social change both in the United States and abroad.

The Birth of CWBM: A Flame Ignited by Women

The CWBM was established during a meeting of the American Christian Missionary Society (ACMS) at Richmond Street Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its purpose was clear and revolutionary: to spread the gospel and improve the lives of women and children, both in the U.S. and globally. This vision was ignited by Carolyn Neville Pearre, whose leadership saw Christian Church women as an untapped force for missionary service.

Under Pearre’s guidance, the CWBM became the first missionary society to serve both domestic and foreign missions, employ both men and women, and be managed entirely by women. The CWBM was built as a grassroots movement, supported by small contributions from local church societies, and deeply rooted in the belief that mission work could empower women to become spiritual and community leaders.

Trailblazing Mission Work: At Home and Abroad

From its earliest days, the CWBM’s global reach was a hallmark of its work. In 1876, the organization established its first mission post in Jamaica and sent its first missionaries, Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Williams. Soon after, Jennie Laughlin became the first single woman missionary. By 1881, India had become a major focus, with schools, orphanages, hospitals, and churches established by dedicated missionaries like Maria Graybiel and Ada Boyd.

Meanwhile, CWBM’s domestic efforts targeted underserved areas across the United States, such as the mountain schools of Appalachia and urban settlements. Their work among marginalized women and children, especially in places where male missionaries could not easily go, demonstrated the unique power of women’s leadership in mission work.

Leaders in the Movement

One of the most remarkable women in CWBM’s history is Rosa Brown Bracy. Born in Port Gibson, Mississippi, in 1895, Bracy became a key figure in the work of the CWBM, particularly in Black congregations. After earning her degree from Southern Christian Institute, Bracy was called by the CWBM in 1914 to serve as field secretary for the Women’s Missionary Society for Negro Churches. For the next 25 years, she worked tirelessly to promote mission work and build confidence among Black Disciples, earning her the title “Sojourner Truth of the National Christian Missionary Convention.” Read more about Rosa Brown Bracy at our Wiki feature on our website. 

Another remarkable figure in the history of Disciples Women is Elizabeth “Mother” Ross, who is also featured in the Society’s Wiki. Born Mary Elizabeth Williams in Indiana in 1852, Ross joined the Christian Church at age 16 in Dayton, Ohio. After marrying Allison Ross in 1874, the couple dedicated their lives to mission work. Known for her dynamic speaking and ability to inspire young people, Elizabeth Ross became a beloved figure in the Christian community.

In 1897, Allison and Elizabeth Ross were called to serve at the Southern Christian Institute in Edwards, Mississippi, a Disciples mission school for African American students. There, Elizabeth became a strong advocate for African American causes, speaking at Black schools and colleges across the region. Her dedication to mission work was deeply personal, as her own son, Emory Ross, became a missionary to Liberia in 1912. The CWBM honored her for her sacrifice and commitment to the cause of Christian brotherhood in Africa. When Elizabeth Ross passed away on September 12, 1926, she left behind a legacy of faith, advocacy, and service.

Sarah Lue Howard Bostick, born in 1868 in Glasgow, Kentucky, was one of the most prominent organizers of the Christian Women’s Board of Missions among African-Americans. As she worked to establish CWBM auxiliaries across Arkansas she amassed a spectacular collection of missions literature, which, upon her death in 1948 were preserved and donated to Disciples of Christ Historical Society. Her materials open an unparalleled window into women’s and African-American studies in the Stone-Campbell movement from the close of the nineteenth to the middle of the twentieth centuries.

Empowering Women and Children: A New Model for Leadership

Throughout its history, the CWBM placed a strong emphasis on empowering women and involving children in mission work. At a time when educational opportunities for women were limited, CWBM’s publication Missionary Tidings and the College of Missions in Indianapolis provided women with theological and practical training, equipping them for leadership in the church and mission field.

Children also played a central role in the CWBM’s efforts. Through their participation in missionary societies and the publication of mission magazines for children, young people raised significant funds for global mission work. By the time the CWBM merged with the United Christian Missionary Society in 1919, 30,000 child members had raised $500,000 to support missions around the world.

A Legacy of Inclusion and Diversity

The CWBM’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is a key part of its legacy. African American women played significant roles in the organization’s mission work, forming separate societies while collaborating with white CWBM chapters. Sarah Lue Bostick organized the first African American CWBM chapters, while leaders like Rosa Brown Bracy continued to advance the cause of Black Disciples.

The CWBM’s work extended beyond the United States, with missionaries serving in countries like India, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Japan. In Canada, the CWBM partnered with local Disciples, and Canadian missionary Dr. Susie Carson Rijnhart-Moyes became a trailblazer for medical missions in Tibet.

Merging Into a New Era: The United Christian Missionary Society

The CWBM’s extraordinary work culminated in 1919 when it merged with other missionary societies to form the United Christian Missionary Society (UCMS). The CWBM brought the bulk of the financial resources and membership into the new organization and insisted on gender equity in its leadership. Though the CWBM ceased to exist as a standalone organization, its spirit of empowerment, inclusion, and service lived on in the 1949 Disciples women gathering at Turkey Run State Park in Indiana where the Christian Women’s Fellowship was founded. UCMS’s legacy continues to inspire Disciples Women today. 

The Legacy Continues

As we celebrate 150 years of Disciples Women, the Historical Society reflects on a legacy that has transformed countless lives through education, healthcare, and the spread of the gospel. From its humble beginnings as a grassroots movement, the CWBM grew into a powerful force for justice, inclusion, and empowerment. Women like Rosa Brown Bracy and Elizabeth “Mother” Ross, as well as other women featured in our collection exemplify the strength and dedication that have defined Disciples Women for generations.

In reflecting on the legacy and future of Disciples Women, Interim Executive Director of Disciples Women, Rev. Dr. Debra M. Reid shares, “Disciples Women’s Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has provided women with transformative opportunities for the past 150 years. We have helped bear the burdens of the church as well as saw the need to build women up. Our mission continues to be serving and supporting the Church and our communities. We plan to continue this goal by providing women with opportunities to develop their leadership skills, enhance their spirituality, and seek a just society. We are trusting and believing that God created us for this work.”

Their commitment to serving the most vulnerable, to fostering leadership among women and people of color, and to building a more just and inclusive world remains a beacon of hope and inspiration. The flame that Carolyn Neville Pearre and her peers ignited in 1874 continues to burn brightly, carried forward by generations of women who have left an indelible mark on the church and the world.

Here’s to 150 years of faith, vision, and service — and to many more years of impact yet to come.