Six incredible women received inaugural Woman of Faith awards at a gala dinner on May 18. All six have spent their lives serving God and serving others, and have helped advance the cause of women’s equality within the church. The Record prepared a video to highlight the work and life of each winner; they were played before each award was presented at the gala dinner in Richmond Hill, Ont.
If one of these women touched your life or faith, we invite you to share your story in the comments section.
Pauline Brown:
In 1951, Dr. Pauline Brown left for India with no mission experience or training. At 26 years old, she did not really know what a missionary did, but she was eager to learn. Today, at the age of 89, Brown still lives with and serves the people of India and carries out the work of the Presbyterian Church—despite being officially retired. “The church is there as a symbol of whom it represents,” Brown said. “If it doesn’t represent honestly then there’s no mission.”
Lois Klempa:
(awarded posthumously)
The late Dr. Lois Klempa advocated for the inclusion of women in the leadership of the PCC. She shared stories of women in the Bible and showed how powerful they were. Her family and friends say she was warm and cheerful and that she radiated kindness. Years ago, when in a discussion about the ordination of women, a minister stated he would be in favour of women in ministry when they had run out of good men. Klempa stood up and replied, “With all due respect sir, we already have.”
Helen Macdonald:
Helen Macdonald has been an active member of the Presbyterian Church since 1960 and prior to that she was involved in the United Church. She has served as the international chair of Quota, as a CGIT superintendent and as the first female clerk in her area. She currently attends St. Andrew’s, Orillia, Ont., where she is a mentor to young families and children. She does not mind when the young people at church look up to her as if she is their grandmother because she is delighted they are there. “Sometimes it’s the anthem that affects you, sometimes it’s the sermon, but you always come away feeling that something has helped your life that day,” Macdonald says of attending church.
Doreen McDougall:
(awarded posthumously)
Doreen McDougall, who passed away in 2013, lived her life through Christ’s command to love one another as he loved us. She used the gifts and skills that she had for the good of the church and she encouraged others, especially women, to do the same. It was a great joy for her to be a Sunday school teacher and to be involved in the church at Erskine, in Ottawa. “Her crowning glory was to be asked to be an elder,” recalls her daughter, Lee McDougall. “She loved the elder care to people who might be unable to attend church on a regular basis.”
Helen Smith:
Rev. Helen Smith grew up in the manse in Stayner, Ont. She is currently a minister at Centennial, Calgary, Alta. Growing up, she learned that faith was not just something you said. “Faith became a verb,” says Smith. “It was something that you had to do.” She has spent her life putting her faith into action to help others.
Margaret Taylor:
Dr. Margaret Taylor was greatly involved in the building of Ewart College, Toronto, a school for deaconesses. The college has since merged with Knox College, but at the time it was a much-needed training facility. Taylor set off across Canada to rally funding. “Women weren’t supposed to know anything at that time, and I didn’t. But I learned,” Taylor says of her journey and her contributions. She thanks the Lord for all the gifts she has and what she has accomplished. “If you are asked to do something by the church, the Lord will provide you with the help
to do it.”
