Sarah E. Gorham facts for kids

Sarah E. Gorham (1832–1894) was a remarkable woman who made history. She was the very first woman sent out as a missionary by the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church).

Who Was Sarah E. Gorham?

We don't know much about Sarah Gorham's early life. Her story becomes clearer in 1880. That year, she traveled to Liberia, a country in West Africa. She went there to visit family members. Her family had likely moved to Liberia with help from the American Colonization Society.

While in Liberia, Sarah Gorham became very interested. She saw the people living there and the important work that missionaries were doing. This experience deeply affected her.

Her Return and Calling

After her visit to Liberia, Sarah Gorham returned to the United States. She became very active in the Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her experiences abroad had inspired her to help others.

In 1888, when she was 56 years old, Sarah Gorham took a big step. She went to the Magbelle mission in Sierra Leone. This place was about 75 miles from Freetown, the capital city. By doing this, she became the AME Church's first woman foreign missionary.

Her Work in Sierra Leone

At Magbelle, Sarah Gorham started something special. She established the Sarah Gorham Mission School. This school offered two types of training. It provided religious education. It also gave industrial training, which taught useful skills for jobs.

Sarah Gorham worked hard at the mission. However, in July 1894, she became very sick. She was bedridden with malaria, a serious illness. She passed away the next month. Sarah Gorham was buried in the Kissy Road Cemetery in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Her legacy as a pioneering missionary continues to inspire many.