Antoinette Brown Society
The Antoinette Brown Society, formed in 2015, carries on the tradition of the Antoinette Brown Award in honoring pioneers and innovators in our midst: new church start pastors, military chaplains, seminary deans, ecumenical leaders, pastors, preachers, evangelists, and more.
2025 Antoinette Brown Society Awardees
To see complete bios and descriptions of their work, please click here.
Rev. Anne Holmes
Trailblazing Elder
Rev. Melody Seaton
Trailblazer
Rev. Caela Simmons Wood Trailblazing Innovator
This is YOUR society and we want to hear from you! Use the QR code to the left or click anywhere on the image to tell us how womxn across the United Church of Christ serve, new suggestions on how we can advocate for each other and how we can help you to reach your highest leadership potential.
2024 Antoinette Brown Society Clergywomxn Leadership Event
We gathered together in Charleston, South Carolina to celebrate with and learn from our 2023 Antoinette Brown Awardees Rev. Rebecca Voekel and Rev. Lisa Maxine Goods for LG Ministries.
Save the Date – Leadership Gathering for Clergywomxn and those preparing for ministry, in partnership with AAWIM and COREM ministries – week of Sept 28 – Oct 2, 2026 outside of Raleigh, North Carolina. Want to support another’s attendance to the next event? Please make a donation!
About Antoinette Brown
In 1853, Antoinette Brown was the first woman ordained into the Christian ministry since biblical times. A passionate advocate for women’s leadership in church and society, Antoinette did not aspire to be the first and only ordained woman—she wanted to be the first of many.
More than a century and a half later, Antoinette is no longer alone, thanks be to God! Today there are thousands of women in ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ. Today women serve in small churches and large ones, as senior ministers and interim pastors, as pastoral counselors and hospice chaplains, as executive directors and conference ministers. Many of today’s clergywomen are still “firsts” like Antoinette: the first female pastor of a church or the first female director of a non-profit.
Current and Past Award Honorees
Since 1975, the United Church of Christ at General Synod has celebrated such trailblazers and innovators whose lives and leadership have carved a path for other women to follow. These women include the first Native American woman ordained into Christian ministry, the first African American woman ordained into the United Church of Christ, and many clergywomen leading society in justice and advocacy. View the full list of Antoinette Brown Award Recipients from 1975 to 2025.
Support the Antoinette Brown Society
Donations to the Society are crucial to leadership development opportunities presented to honorees throughout the year, including the Clergywomxn’s Leadership Event. Learn how your annual gift can make a difference.
Antoinette Brown Society Membership
For a minimum of $20 per month you can become a member of the Society. Membership includes the following benefits:
- Early Bird notice of Gatherings and Events
- Discount Registration for the Clergywomen’s Leadership Event (held during even numbered years).
- Your name listed on our website as a supporter of the leadership of women in the church, and
- COMING SOON! The Antoinette Brown Society Newsletter.
Donors to the Antoinette Brown Society
- Dr. David and Dr. Carol Kerr
- Dr. Lorraine Grinnell
- Emmanuel United Church of Christ
- First Congregational UCC
- Mr. Kevin Haass
- Mr. Robert Routzahn
- Mrs. Meredith Evans
- Ms. Christine Krause and Mary Waters
- Ms. Marjorie Hubbard
- Ms. Mary Hansen
- Ms. Nancy E. Krody
- Ms. Sophia C. DeWitt
- Ms. Wendy K. Blight and Rev. Tara C. Barber
- Rev. Amber and Rev. Michael Neuroth
- Rev. Amy and Mr. Eric Johnson
- Rev. Anissa and Rev. Tracy Glaser-Bacon
- Rev. Annette Cook
- Rev. Aubra L. Love
- Rev. Audrey and Mr. Russell Turner
- Rev. Audrey C. Price and Mr. Augustine Angba
- Rev. Bernice F. Powell Jackson
- Rev. Beth Kennett
- Rev. Cheryl A. Lindsay
- Rev. Christina and Mr. Adam Kukuk
- Rev. Courtney Stange-Tregear
- Rev. Cydney Van Dyke
- Rev. Dawn Jefferson
- Rev. Dr. Marja and Rev. James Coons-Torn
- Rev. Dr. Elena Larssen and Rev. Mark Pettis
- Rev. Dr. Frances Ann Bogle
- Rev. Dr. Martha Ann Baumer
- Rev. Dr. Ron Patterson and Ms. Charnley Marsden
- Rev. Dr. Susan B. Thistlethwaite
- Rev. Dr. Susan Jane Foster and Mr. Roger Solomon
- Rev. Elizabeth R. Dilley and Rev. Paul Richardson
- Rev. Ellen Witko
- Rev. Erin B. Gilmore
- Rev. J D Haas
- Rev. Jennifer Garrison
- Rev. Jill K. Warner
- Rev. John F. Hudson
- Rev. June E. Boutwell
- Rev. Kerby J. Avedovech
- Rev. Kerri Parker
- Rev. Kimberly and Mr. Ronald Wood
- Rev. Kyle A. Lovett
- Rev. Liddy Barlow
- Rev. Lisa Goods
- Rev. Lisa Hart
- Rev. Loey Powell and Ms. Brenda Joyner
- Rev. Lorraine M. Ceniceros
- Rev. Marian and Mr. James Shearer
- Rev. Marilyn Hedges-Hiller
- Rev. Martha and Dr. Randall Stone
- Rev. Mary W. Nelson
- Rev. Melanie and Mr. T. Anil Oommen
- Rev. Michelle Carter
- Rev. Nancy Rottman
- Rev. Philomena Hare
- Rev. Rebecca Voelkel and Ms. Maggie George
- Rev. Regan Saoirse
- Rev. Sandra K. Johnson
- Rev. Sheila Harvey
- Rev. Sheresa Simpson-Rice and Mr. Karl Rice
- Rev. Tameka Love
- Rev. Tara L. Wilkins
- Rev. Tracy Heilman and Rev. Michael Mulberry
- Rev. Tyler Connoley
- Southeast Conference, UCC
- West Park United Church of Christ
Questions?
Your Antoinette Brown Society Leadership Team:
- Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay
- Rev. Dr. Carmin Frederick-James
- Rev. Dr. Susan Cartmell
- Rev. Dr. Vertie Powers
- Rev. Dr. Audrey Price
- Rev. Michelle Hughes
- R. Ward, EFA
- Schmian Evans, Minister for Women and Gender Justice
- Rev. Tara Barber, MESA
Please contact Rev. Tara Barber (barbert@ucc.org), Minister for Ministerial Support and Accountability, for more information.
