The clergywoman question: M. Madeline Southard, the Association of Women Preachers, and women’s rights in American Methodism
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Abstract
The Association of Women Preachers (AWP), established by Mabel Madeline Southard in 1919, played a pivotal role in advancing women’s ecclesiastical rights within American Methodism from 1919 to 1980. This study highlights the AWP as a collaborative platform that fostered leadership, education, and advocacy for clergywomen, emerging alongside multiple waves of feminism. Despite facing resistance, the AWP persisted in promoting women’s ordination, laying the groundwork for significant shifts in Methodist polity and influencing other mainline churches. This research demonstrates the AWP's impact by examining archival documents, including Southard’s journals, AWP publications like The Woman’s Pulpit, and denominational records. Employing a microhistory methodology, the study examines the experiences of key Methodist women, such as Georgia Harkness, Jeanne Audrey Powers, and Marjorie Matthews, to illuminate the broader movement. The analysis reveals how the AWP, grounded in egalitarianism and the Social Gospel, educated members on relevant issues, advocated for policy changes, and fostered a supportive network for women facing barriers. The Woman’s Pulpit disseminated vital information about legislative efforts and theological arguments for women’s ordination. The dissertation’s findings illustrate the AWP’s strategic engagement with American Methodism, the largest Protestant denomination during much of the 19th and 20th centuries. The AWP successfully initiated and sustained conversations toward full ordination rights by tracking denominational policies and engaging institutional networks of Methodism. Furthermore, the AWP mentored and inspired subsequent generations of Methodist women leaders to pursue full clergy rights for women and, eventually, women’s election to the episcopacy. Through its collaborative structure, educational initiatives, and persistent advocacy, the AWP significantly contributed to shifting theological perspectives and denominational policies regarding women in ministry. By focusing on the collective efforts of women organized through the AWP, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the journey toward gender equality in religious leadership, highlighting the enduring legacy of Madeline Southard’s vision and the organization she founded.
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2025