KATA COGIC History Series
COGIC National Women Supervisors
1911, Mother Elizabeth “Lizzie” Woods Roberson (born in Phillips County, AR) appointed overseer of women’s work from 1911-1945
A. Key fundraiser in building the national headquarters in Memphis
B. Formed the Prayer and Bible Band, The Sewing Circle, and the Home and Foreign Mission board in teamwork with Elder Searcy.
C. State Women leaders called Overseers of Women’s Work
1945-1964 Mother Lillian Brooks Coffey (born in Memphis, TN)
A. Organized the first Women’s Convention in 1951 in Los Angeles
B. Threatened to “shut” the Church down by telling women to withhold tithes and offerings
due to a dispute about leadership, but complained about achieving an accurate count of women in the Church. She was recorded saying that men did not want women to have too much influence. (Confirmed by Missionary Margaret Barnett who stated that this was told to her by Mother Mattie McGlothen).
C. 21 years as Bishop Mason’s secretary, and served as assistant financial secretary under Sis Jesse Strickland
D. Affirmed the leadership of Bishop O.T Jones, Sr after the death of Bishop Mason
E. Under her leadership, women supplied 1/3 of Church’s National Budget
F. Women leaders transition from State Mothers or Overseers of Women’s Work
to State Supervisors
1964-1975 Mother Ann Bailey (born in Temple, TX) “Sweetheart of the Church of God in Christ” and “Darling to the Brotherhood”
A. Wife of Bishop John Seth Bailey, the contender and runner-up for Presiding Bishop of COGIC, Inc
B. Added to the Women’s Dept: The Rescue Squad, National Sunday School Superintendent’s Wives, National Sunday School Representatives Unit, United Sisters of Charity, National Securities Unit, and Junior Missions Unit.
C. Renewed the COGIC Women’s Magazine and appointed the first National President of the Sowing Circle-Artistic Fingers.
1976-1994 Mother Mattie McGlothen (born in Tehuacana, TX) “Sister Hospitality”
A. Founded International Hospitality, Education Fund, Bishop Wives Scholarship Fund, Emergency Relief Fund,
Business and Professional Women’s Federation, and Lavender Ladies
B. Testified of being miraculously healed of tuberculosis by the prayers of Mother Anna Powell of Arkansas
C. Did pioneering work in Oklahoma, Iowa, and California, was Supervisor of Northern California
1994-1997 Mother Emma Crouch (born on a Morris County, Texas homestead) “Healed to Lead”
A. Healed in 1993 of her illness to lead the women until her death in 1997
B. Organized the Christian Women’s Council
C. Re-established the National Pastor’s Aide, Created General Board of Bishop Wives Circle
D. Created National Deaconess Board and appointed a Historian for the Women’s Department
E. Recreated the office of Executive Secretary for the Women’s Department
1997-Present Mother Willie Mae Rivers (born in Goose Creek, SC) “Modern Day Sweetheart of COGIC”
A. Founder and President of Christian Women and Men Fellowship, has a radio program called “The Evangelist Speaks”
B. Appointed Church Mother at the age of 20, has over 60 years of service as a Church Mother
C. 1968, appointed as Supervisor of South Carolina Jurisdiction
A good source for COGIC Women’s history is Dr Anthea Butler’s book, Women in the Church of God in Christ: Making a Sanctified World.