American Baptist Women In Ministry Mentor Story: Susan Gillies

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American Baptist Women In Ministry Mentor Story: Susan Gillies

American Baptist Women in Ministry is highlighting mentors who have encouraged others. Watch this story or read below to learn how mentors have influenced Susan Gillies, a leading woman of American Baptist Churches USA.


Recalling Mentor Betty Miller: “She was a Christian Friendliness Missionary helping immigrant people become settled in their new communities.”
By Dr. Susan Gillies

When Betty Miller worked with American Baptist Home Mission Society, she recruited me to leave a career in Public Broadcasting to come work for the denomination. Ordained in 1947, she was an amazing woman, particularly in the area of Christian social witness and civil rights. She was a Christian Friendliness Missionary helping immigrant people become settled in their new communities. She integrated a public beach in Florida and when as a white woman she led a group of African Americans onto the beach whites were so incensed they started to beat her and the African Americans formed a protective roof over her to protect her. She knew what she believed, understood her call and stood for what was right. She changed my life.

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