Grade Level: High School – Undergraduate
Class Duration: Multi-day lesson (Two 60–90 minute class sessions + Independent Research & Interviews)
Subject: Religious Studies, African American History, Gender Studies
Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Explore the history and contributions of women in the AME Church.
- Utilize the AME Archives to identify at least ten female pastors in the denomination.
- Research the accomplishments and leadership impact of these women.
- Conduct interviews with at least three female AME pastors to document their experiences.
- Create a final project that records and shares their findings through written, audio, or video storytelling.
Materials Needed:
- Access to AME-Archives.org for research.
- Audio/video recording devices (smartphones, voice recorders, laptops).
- Notebooks for research notes and interview questions.
- Digital tools for project presentation (Google Docs, Canva, PowerPoint, podcast apps).
Lesson Activities:
Part 1: Introduction to Women in the AME Church (Classroom Session 1 – 60–90 min)
1. Historical Overview (20 min)
- Provide a brief history of women in the AME Church, highlighting key figures such as:
- Jarena Lee (first woman authorized to preach in the AME Church).
- Bishop Vashti McKenzie (first female bishop in AME history).
- Discuss the ongoing role of women in ministry, their leadership struggles, and successes.
2. Research Activity: Identifying Women Pastors (40 min)
- Students access AME-Archives.org to identify at least ten female AME pastors.
- Document their names, church affiliations, and leadership roles.
- Assign students to different regions or states to ensure diverse representation.
3. Discussion & Selection of Focus Pastors (30 min)
- Each student selects 2–3 pastors they are most interested in researching further.
- Discuss criteria for choosing whom to interview (geographic accessibility, areas of expertise, historical significance).
- Begin drafting potential interview questions.
Part 2: Research & Interview Process (Independent Work + Classroom Check-In)
1. Research the Selected Pastors
- Students gather information on their chosen pastors’ work, ministries, and impact.
- Use church websites, social media, articles, and any books or sermons available online.
2. Preparing for Interviews
- Finalize at least 10 interview questions, focusing on topics such as:
- Their calling to ministry.
- Challenges and triumphs as women in AME leadership.
- Contributions to their church and community.
- Their vision for the future of women in AME leadership.
- Contact and schedule interviews with at least three pastors (conduct via Zoom, phone, or in-person).
3. Conduct Interviews & Record Findings
- Record or transcribe key points from the interviews.
- Take note of recurring themes in the women’s experiences.
Part 3: Presentation & Documentation (Classroom Session 2 – 60–90 min)
1. Compiling Findings into a Final Project (40–60 min)
Students will choose one of the following formats for their final presentation:
- Written Report: A narrative analysis summarizing the stories of the three pastors.
- Podcast Episode: An audio recording incorporating interview clips and reflections.
- Video Documentary: A short documentary featuring recorded interviews and research highlights.
- Digital Exhibit: A multimedia presentation with images, quotes, and audio excerpts.
2. Class Discussion & Reflection (30 min)
- Share key takeaways from the research and interviews.
- Discuss the challenges and successes of female leadership in the AME Church.
- Reflect on how these women’s stories contribute to the broader narrative of faith, gender, and social justice.
Assessment Criteria:
- Quality of Research: Depth of analysis on the selected pastors’ work.
- Interview Execution: Thoughtfulness of questions and engagement with subjects.
- Presentation: Clarity, creativity, and effectiveness of storytelling.
- Class Discussion Participation: Engagement in discussions and reflections.