Priscilla Pope-Levison

Academic Historian

Priscilla Pope-Levison is Professor of Theology and Assistant Director of Women’s Studies, Seattle Pacific University. Previously, she held faculty positions at The Divinity School, Duke University and North Park University. Her most recent book is titled, Turn the Pulpit Loose: Two Centuries of American Women Evangelists (Palgrave Macmillan, 2004). Other books include Evangelization in a Liberation Perspective (Peter Lang, 1992) and with her spouse, John R. Levison, Jesus in Global Contexts (Westminster John Knox, 1992) and Return to Babel: Global Perspectives on the Bible (1999).

Mary Magdalena Lewis Tate (1871-1930)

Mary Magdalena Lewis Tate founded a Pentecostal denomination and became one of the first American women to hold the title of Bishop. Born in Vanleer, Tennessee on January 5, 1871, to Belfield Street and Nancy (Hall) Street, she married her first husband, David Lewis, at … Read MoreMary Magdalena Lewis Tate (1871-1930)

Richard Allen [Pennsylvania] (1760-1831)

Born into slavery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 14, 1760, Richard Allen went on to become an educator, writer, minister and founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Benjamin Chew, a Quaker lawyer, owned the Allen family, which included Richard’s parents and three other children. … Read MoreRichard Allen [Pennsylvania] (1760-1831)

Zilpa Elaw (ca. 1790-1873)

Born in Pennsylvania to free parents, who raised her in the Christian faith, she was sent around the age of twelve, after her mother died, to live with a Quaker couple. At the age of fourteen, she began attending Methodist meetings, where she was converted. … Read MoreZilpa Elaw (ca. 1790-1873)

William J. Seymour (1870-1922)

William J. Seymour was born in Centerville, Louisiana, to former slaves Simon and Phillis Seymour, who raised him in the Baptist church. While living in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was influenced by holiness teachings, and then he moved to Houston, Texas, where he heard Charles Fox … Read MoreWilliam J. Seymour (1870-1922)

Azusa Street Revival (1906-1909)

The Azusa Street Revival, beginning in the spring of 1906, largely spawned the worldwide Pentecostal movement. It commenced in a former African Methodist Episcopal church building located at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles, California. The primary leader was evangelist William J. Seymour, who came … Read MoreAzusa Street Revival (1906-1909)

Sojourner Truth (ca. 1797-1883)

Sojourner Truth, an abolitionist, women’s rights activist, emancipated slave and itinerant evangelist, became arguably the most well-known nineteenth century African American woman. Born around 1797, Isabella (her birth name) was the daughter of James and Betsey, slaves of Colonel Ardinburgh Hurley, Ulster County, New York. … Read MoreSojourner Truth (ca. 1797-1883)

Ida Bell Robinson (1891-1946)

Ida Bell Robinson grew up in Pensacola, Florida, the seventh of twelve children born to Robert and Annie Bell. After her conversion as a teenager at an evangelistic street meeting, she led prayer services in homes. In 1909 she married Oliver Robinson, and they soon … Read MoreIda Bell Robinson (1891-1946)

Emma Ray (1859-1930)

For nearly thirty years, Emma Ray, who was born into slavery and raised in poverty in Missouri, ministered to the poor and homeless in Seattle slums along with her husband, L.P. They came to Seattle following the 1889 fire in order for L.P. to find … Read MoreEmma Ray (1859-1930)

Julia Foote (1823-1900)

Born in Schenectady, New York, to former slaves, Julia was converted at age fifteen. Several years later, she married George Foote, a sailor, moved to Boston, and joined an African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ) Church, where she began to testify about her experiences of conversion … Read MoreJulia Foote (1823-1900)