Detroit PBS - American Black Journal
This story also appeared in Detroit PBS - American Black Journal

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We’ll continue our yearlong series on The Black Church in Detroit with an up-close look at the role of women in the Black Church, as we mark Women’s History Month. Historically, the contributions of Black women have been extremely crucial to the church’s growth, operations and survival, yet many houses of worship remain male dominated with few women in leadership roles. Stephen has a candid conversation with three women ministers: Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson of West Side Unity Church, Rev. Cindy Rudolph of Oak Grove AME Church and Rev. Kenita Harris of Detroit Bible Tabernacle. They’ll talk about the importance of faith and religion in the lives of Black women, their roles in the church today, and the ongoing debate over gender equality in the ministry.  Plus, we’ll visit the Shrine of the Black Madonna where a mural of a Black Madonna and Child was unveiled on Easter Sunday 1967. The painting not only served as a symbol of Black liberation, but it also depicted the strength and power of the Black woman in the struggle for freedom, justice and

Stephen Henderson is an award-winning journalist, author, and broadcaster whose work is rooted in Detroit and shaped by a deep commitment to public-interest reporting and civic life. A native Detroiter,...