Clydia Boose

Clydia Boose was a pioneer many times over in Methodism in the South. She was the first woman to be licensed to preach (1935) in the Central Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Just two years later, she was the first woman to be appointed as the sole pastor (1937) of a local church.  

After the merger of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Methodist Protestant and Methodist Episcopal Church, South, she became the first woman ordained a Local Deacon (1940) and Local Elder (1948) in the Memphis Conference. Although she completed the Course of Study required for prospective clergy, she was never made a full member of an annual conference. In 1969, the Memphis Conference did acknowledge her with Associate Member status. 

Clydia's great-niece, Linda Steiger, will share excerpts from her mother's book "Pioneer Preacher: The Clydia Boose Story" and more about this amazing and determined woman who dedicated her life to preaching and caring for her congregations.