Born: 1825 (Henrietta, New York)
Died: 1921
Biography:
Antoinette Louisa Brown, later Antoinette Brown Blackwell (May 20, 1825 – November 5, 1921), was the first woman to be ordained as a mainstream Protestant minister in the United States. She was a well-versed public speaker on the paramount issues of her time and distinguished herself from her contemporaries with her use of religious faith in her efforts to expand women’s rights.
Antoinette Louisa Brown was born on May 20, 1825, in Henrietta, New York. She was the youngest of seven children born to Joseph Brown and Abby Morse. Even from a young age, Brown displayed remarkable intelligence and curiosity. At the tender age of three, her intelligence was recognized by those around her. Her family’s religious beliefs were influenced by the preaching of evangelist Charles Grandison Finney from nearby Rochester, and as a result, they joined the Congregational Church.
At the age of nine, Brown’s religious fervor was already evident when she injected a prayer into her family’s religious observance. Impressed by her devotion, the church accepted her as a member. It was during Sunday meetings at the church that Brown began to exhibit her public speaking skills, delivering her first sermons at a young age.
In 1841, at the age of 16, Brown taught school after completing her early schooling at Monroe County Academy. However, she had no intention of spending her life as a teacher. Instead, she aspired to pursue a career in the pulpit and was determined to obtain a degree in theology.
To achieve her goals, Brown spent four years teaching and saving money to cover her tuition fees. With the support of her parents, who believed in equal education for men and women as well as for individuals of all races, she enrolled at Oberlin College in Ohio in 1846. She completed the literary course and received her literary degree in 1847, which was the prescribed course for women students at the time. During her vacations, she continued her studies by teaching and delving into the study of Hebrew and Greek.
After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Brown sought admission to Oberlin College’s theological course, which focused on Congregationalist ministry. The college administration, initially opposed to the idea of a woman studying theology, eventually relented but imposed various conditions on her participation. Although she could participate in the courses, she would not receive formal recognition.
Despite these restrictions, Brown’s passion for theology and her desire to make a difference in the world propelled her forward. She became a prolific writer and a charismatic public speaker. Her exegesis on the writings of the Apostle Paul was published in the Oberlin Quarterly Review. In her writing, she highlighted the importance of avoiding excesses, irregularities, and unwarranted liberties in public worship.
In 1853, Brown married Samuel C. Blackwell, a successful physician and abolitionist. Despite her marriage, Brown continued to pursue her theological studies and remained committed to her activism for women’s rights. In 1859, she became the first woman to be ordained as a minister in a mainstream Protestant denomination when the Congregational Church in South Butler, New York, ordained her. This historic milestone paved the way for future generations of women to pursue their calling in religious leadership.
Throughout her life, Brown Blackwell dedicated herself to fighting for women’s rights and social justice. She believed that religion and spirituality could be powerful tools in advocating for gender equality. As a public speaker, she addressed various topics including suffrage, abolitionism, and temperance, always connecting her arguments to religious and moral principles.
Antoinette Brown Blackwell passed away on November 5, 1921, leaving behind a legacy of courage, determination, and unwavering dedication to the cause of women’s rights. Her groundbreaking ordination and commitment to using her faith to advance social justice have solidified her place in history as a prominent figure in the struggle for gender equality.
Awards:
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