Florence Spearing Randolph facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Florence Spearing Randolph
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Florence Spearing Randolph, from a 1919 publication.
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| Born |
Florence Spearing
August 9, 1866 Charleston, South Carolina
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| Died | December 28, 1951 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Drew University, Livingstone College |
| Occupation | Minister |
| Spouse(s) |
Hugh Randolph
(m. 1884–1913) |
Florence Spearing Randolph (born August 6 or 9, 1866 – died December 28, 1951) was an amazing American woman. She was a minister, which means she led a church. She was also a suffragist, someone who fought for women's right to vote.
From 1925 to 1946, she was the pastor of the Wallace Chapel AME Zion Church in Summit, New Jersey. She also started the New Jersey Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. Plus, she was the president of the New Jersey Women's Foreign Missionary Society.
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Early Life and Education
Florence Spearing was born in Charleston, South Carolina. Her father, John Spearing, was a cabinetmaker. Her mother was Anna Smith Spearing.
Florence first trained to be a dressmaker. She moved north to New Jersey to find work. There, she lived with her sister Lena. Later in life, she made history. She became the first African-American woman to enroll at Drew University. In 1933, she received a special degree. It was an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Livingstone College.
A Trailblazing Career
Florence Spearing Randolph was a true pioneer. She was one of the first women in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church to become a deacon in 1901. Then, in 1903, she became an elder. This meant she was allowed to preach.
She started at the Wallace Chapel as a temporary pastor in 1925. Soon, she became the church's permanent leader. She served as pastor for more than twenty years. She retired in 1946. During her time, the church built its current building. They also paid off all their building debts.
Global Missions and Outreach
Florence Randolph traveled far for her work. In 1901, she was a delegate. She attended an international church meeting in London. As the head of the New Jersey Women's Foreign Missionary Society, she did a lot. She created a special office called the Bureau of Supplies. This office collected and sent donations to missionaries. From 1922 to 1924, she visited missionaries. She went to places like Liberia and Ghana in Africa.
Fighting for Women's Rights
Florence Spearing Randolph also worked for women's rights. She was on the main board of the New Jersey Woman Suffrage Association. This group worked to get women the right to vote. In 1915, she founded a new group. It was called the New Jersey Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. She was also its first president.
Personal Life and Lasting Impact
Florence Spearing married Hugh Randolph in 1884. Hugh was a railroad cook. Their daughter, Leah Viola Randolph, was born in 1887. Florence became a widow when Hugh died in 1913.
Rev. Florence Spearing Randolph passed away in 1951. She was 85 years old. Her granddaughter, Anice Johnson Ward, kept many of her important papers. In 1982, she shared them with a history professor. The professor, Bettye Collier-Thomas, used some of Florence's sermons. These sermons were included in a book. It was called Daughters of Thunder (1998).
Today, Florence Spearing Randolph is still remembered. Drew University gives a special award in her name. It's called the Reverend Florence Spearing Randolph Prize. There is also a historical marker at the Wallace Chapel. It explains her important work. This marker is part of the New Jersey Women's Heritage Trail. In 2015, the Women's Home and Missionary Society celebrated her life. They held a Founder's Day event for her.
