Historic rendition of Jarena Lee, the first female preacher in the A.M.E. church
Dr. Rosalyn Brookins. Courtesy of Parks Chapel A.M.E. Church.
Parks Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 476 34
th Street Oakland, California is excited to announce that Rev. Dr. Rosalynn Brookins, senior pastor was awarded the auspicious Jarena Lee Award.
Jarena Lee (February 11, 1783 – February 3, 1864) was the first female authorized to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. History shows she was born into a free, Black family. Lee saw the immorality of slavery. At a time period of segregation and inequity, A.M.E. Church founder Richard Allen gave her the opportunity for her voice to be heard despite the fact that there were no provisions for a female to preach. Rev. Lee showed determination to let her voice be heard and to share the holy word, despite racial and gender issues. Further, Lee was the first African American woman to have an autobiography published in the United States.