50th anniversary awards named for women of vision in the United Church of Christ

In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the United Church of Christ on June 26, 2007 during the Women in Ministry luncheon at the 26th General Synod eight special, one time recognition awards will be presented to women who have led the denomination with vision and boldness. The recipients of these awards are:

Rev. Candita Bauzá-Mattos recognized as the first Hispanic woman to be ordained in the United Church of Christ

Marilyn M. Breitling recognized as the first Executive Director of a woman's instrumentality in the United Church of Christ

Dr. Yvonne V. Delk recognized as the first African American woman to be ordained in the United Church of Christ

Anne E. Holmes recognized as the first out lesbian ordained clergywoman. This year is the 25th anniversary of her ordination.

Rev. Carol Joyce recognized as the first woman officer in the United Church of Christ

Rev. Rosemary McCombs Maxey recognized as the first Native American woman to be ordained in the United Church of Christ

Rev. Murdale C. Leysath recognized as the first woman Conference Minister in the United Church of Christ

Louise Wallace recognized for the vision of creating an award for Clergywomen after the first woman ordained in a former predecessor body of the United Church of Christ

Rev. "Mother Alice" Rosehill Kahokuoluna recognized as the first Pacific Island woman to be ordained to a predecessor body of the United Church of Christ

These awards will be presented during the 26th General Synod of the United Church of Christ being held in Hartford, Connecticut June 22-26, 2007