Barbara Clementine Harris Research Paper
Background
Religious leader Barbara Clementine Harris was born on June 12, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Harris as a child regularly attended church with her parents, Walter and Beatrice Harris at the Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church. She then developed a strong bond with the church and its vision. After college, Harris was hired by Joseph Baker Associates, Inc., a personal relations firm. In 1958, she become the president of the company. Then in 1968 she was hired as the director of the Community Relations Department of the Sun Oil Company (Harris, Barbara C., http://www.blackpast.org/aah/harris-barbara-c-1930). Harris wanted to be a part of the civil rights struggle politically as an African America woman. Her participation in different …show more content…
Harris spoke against those who still questioned the value of women priests, and welcomed the selection of other women as bishops. Having the support of many critics, she had a powerful voice in making church policy and programs. She was a leader both within and outside the church. Her elevation to bishop amazed many, as it provided an important example of how far women had come in their struggle for equality in mainline Protestant churches. Harris's main goal was to extend the boundaries of her church, continually pushing for a more progressive message from Episcopalians on issues of civil rights, sexism, and fairness (Barbara Clementine Harris Facts, http://biography.yourdictionary.com/barbara-clementine-harris). Harris's history as a social activist before joining the priesthood remained ingrained and served as a guide in all her religious actions. (Harris, Barbara C., http://www.blackpast.org/aah/harris-barbara-c-1930). After she died, the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center was developed as an Episcopal Diocese ministry (The Church Awakens, http://www.episcopalarchives.org/Afro-Anglican_history/exhibit/leadership/harris.php). Many people lent their hands to finish this project in honor of Harris. Harris was an activist critic of the status
Religious leader Barbara Clementine Harris was born on June 12, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Harris as a child regularly attended church with her parents, Walter and Beatrice Harris at the Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church. She then developed a strong bond with the church and its vision. After college, Harris was hired by Joseph Baker Associates, Inc., a personal relations firm. In 1958, she become the president of the company. Then in 1968 she was hired as the director of the Community Relations Department of the Sun Oil Company (Harris, Barbara C., http://www.blackpast.org/aah/harris-barbara-c-1930). Harris wanted to be a part of the civil rights struggle politically as an African America woman. Her participation in different …show more content…
Harris spoke against those who still questioned the value of women priests, and welcomed the selection of other women as bishops. Having the support of many critics, she had a powerful voice in making church policy and programs. She was a leader both within and outside the church. Her elevation to bishop amazed many, as it provided an important example of how far women had come in their struggle for equality in mainline Protestant churches. Harris's main goal was to extend the boundaries of her church, continually pushing for a more progressive message from Episcopalians on issues of civil rights, sexism, and fairness (Barbara Clementine Harris Facts, http://biography.yourdictionary.com/barbara-clementine-harris). Harris's history as a social activist before joining the priesthood remained ingrained and served as a guide in all her religious actions. (Harris, Barbara C., http://www.blackpast.org/aah/harris-barbara-c-1930). After she died, the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center was developed as an Episcopal Diocese ministry (The Church Awakens, http://www.episcopalarchives.org/Afro-Anglican_history/exhibit/leadership/harris.php). Many people lent their hands to finish this project in honor of Harris. Harris was an activist critic of the status