EQUITY FOR WOMEN IN THE CHURCH, INC.

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Believers in Equity for Women in the Church, Inc. (EWC),

Allow me to thank all of you for your on-going support, but now, allow me to

inform you that Equity for Women in the Church, Inc. (EWC) is dissolving as a national

organization per the consensus vote of its board of directors. We are dissolving due to

limited resources, and the remaining financial resources will be given as a gift to four

organizations with women in ministry advocacy missions. But now, please allow me to

offer a brief organizational history of Equity for Women in the Church, Inc.

I have written this letter over and over again on paper and in my mind for the past

few days; and with each time I have attempted to formulate understandable sentences,

along with the memories (through tears) to document past organizational achievements,

it has made writing very difficult. Yes, achievements have flooded through my mind.

Starting with late night discussion strategies with the former EWC Co-Chair, the

feminist theologian, and author of many books to include children and inclusive hymns

in that of the Rev. Dr. Jann Aldredge-Clanton. Memories brought smiles, and yes, the

tears with moments of remembrance and gratefulness.

During EWC’s tenure there have been podcasts to encourage a spectrum of

women in ministry. There have been podcasts to develop and encourage males to

become allies and advocates on behalf of women in ministry, in which an educational

program was developed to offer children a positive perspective about women called into

ministry. An EWC conference held at Memphis Theological Seminary promoted this

concept developed by the current EWC chair, the Rev. Dr. Andrea Chambers. Books

were developed through EWC by board members through the Rev. Dr. Alfie Wines’

Equity for Women in the Church…I Wish Someone Had Told Me, 2020, and the Rev. Dr.

Courtney Pace’s, Freedom Faith: The Womanist Vision of Prathia Hall, 2019. Papers

were presented on the significance of women in ministry, along with articles written for

clergy newsletters. EWC has supported other organizations sponsoring conferences for

women clergy in ministry. Yes, there is a lot for which to be grateful. Now, I would be

remiss in not briefly sharing how Equity for Women, Inc. was organized. Please allow

me to indulge you as supporter, friend, and advocate.

Equity for Women in the Church, Inc. was a vision I had while attending

seminary. After graduation it came into reality. Its initial birth was formalized in the

Alliance of Baptists where I met the Rev. Dr. Aldredge-Clanton. After strategies and a

purpose were documented from the vision of promoting inclusivity in culturally diverse

churches with women as pastors, Jann and I brought together religious leaders and lay

people from around the country to finalize the vision at Wake Forest School of Divinity.

We did a lot of fundraising with our supportive husbands, and with much faith, and

prayer, Equity for Women in the Church, Inc., became a 501c3 non-profit in 2013 after

the Wake Forest meeting. Those various leaders (who were brought together without

having to utilize personal resources other than their time) worked hard to achieve

consensus that EWC was needed and would be a vital organization to advocate on

behalf of “all” women in ministry. What a memory!!! The former president of Colgate

Rochester Crozer Divinity School, The Rev. Dr. Marvin McMickle was the “keynoter.”

“All” …those women called by God to be included in ministry, but were excluded

because of ethnicity and race, sexual orientation, and patriarchal Bible beliefs. It was

recognized that Equity for Women in the Church, Inc. was indeed needed even with

other organizations that promoted women in ministry. EWC would strive to include and

advocate on behalf of “all” women seeking ministry pastor roles.

I have kept the next heart and gut-wrenching part regarding the history of EWC

for last.

In September, 2024, my former EWC Co-Chair, Jann, died. She was not only Co-

Chair, but she was my confidant, my friend and one of my greatest supporters as “I” was

a pastor of a culturally diverse church. We made a formidable team as “Co-Chairs.”

My fellow friends, Equity for Women Inc. may be dissolving as a 5013c, but the

vision and fight have not died. Advocacy on behalf of women in ministry will continue

through the organizations that will benefit with the remaining distributed EWC’s

resources, and through all of us. Here’s to “Strength for the On-Going Journey.”

In Gratefulness and Thanksgiving,

The Rev. Sheila D. Sholes-Ross

Founder and Former Co-Chair

Equity For Women in the Church, Inc.

Equity for Women in the Church empowers people of all ages, races, and denominations to realize the full potential of their divine giftedness and to advocate for clergywomen's equity and inclusion in ministry.

Feminist theologian, hymn writer, and advocate who was not afraid to name patriarchal hierarchy in whatever situation has died. The descriptions can go on, but still it would not be enough words to adequately express what the world has lost with the death of The Rev. Dr.  Jann Aldredge-Clanton, Co-Chair of Equity for Women in the Church, Inc. I have waited to write this note for the Equity website since I am processing this loss, and it is extremely difficult and hard for me to believe that she is gone. 

Jann and I have worked as a "team" since the inception of Equity to develop this organization as an ecumenical, diverse, and welcoming entity. We were each other's pastor, sister, and most of all, friend.

The organization will move forward to honor what she believed, that being, "Women must not bow down and accept patriarchy in any form." 

Jann, we will continue your legacy.

Please keep Jann's memory alive on behalf of women in ministry. Advocate in whatever manner you are able in order to remember her exemplary life on behalf of all women, especially women in ministry.

Jann, we will continue your legacy.

Please keep Jann's husband, children and grandchildren, along with her sister and other loved ones in your prayers.

Please keep all of us in prayer as we grieve...honor...and continue the love and work of The Rev. Dr. Jann Aldredge-Clanton.

The Rev. Sheila Sholes-Ross

Equity for Women in the Church, Inc. 

Video, Calling in the Key of she

I Wish Someone Had Told ME:

Equity for Women in the Church

Purchase THE BOOK Today!

Looking through the exquisitely crafted stained glass windows of any church, one might think that all is well inside. Yet, the word from clergywomen is that nothing could be further from the truth. Their commitment to God and to the people of the faith community where they serve remains intact. Yet, underneath this public veneer lie endless inequities, struggles unimaginable, and realities too long undivulged.In this age of “Me Too,” clergywomen dig deep as they share their stories of the joys and challenges of being a woman in ministry with boldness and authenticity. In these pages, the voices of clergymen and others who stand in solidarity and support of clergywomen can also be heard.Words of hope and suggestions of possibilities for the future call on the church to implement policies and practices that will lead to equitable treatment of clergywomen everywhere. May the church, today and tomorrow, with enhanced equity for clergywomen, reflect all humanity as created in the image of the divine.

Copyright © Equity for Women in the Church, 2025

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