The 15th Quadrennial Convention of the Women's Missionary Society convenes on July 30th for the first time in Texas, the home state of Mrs. Lucy M. Hughes, a pioneer in the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church. "Who is Lucy Hughes?" some of you may ask. Mrs. Hughes was the first President of the Women's Missionary Society (WMS) of the Africam Methodist Episcopal Church. The new organization was created when the Women's Parent Mite Missionary (1876) and The Women's Foreign Missionary Department (1908) merged to become the current WMS.
Mrs. Hughes was born in Caldwell County of Prairie Lea, Texas on December 5, 1891 to Christian and industrious parents, who knew the importance of cultural and religious education. She attended public schools until the age of twelve at which time her parents transferred their brilliant daughter to private school. At the age of seventeen, she graduated from Prairie View State Normal College (Prairie View A & M University). She was appointed State Scholar by the governor of Texas for meritorious achievement in academic work.
She excelled as a scholar, but nearest to her heart was the work of Christians Missions. She began participating in church activities early in life. She started as a Sunday School librarian and held offices with the Stewardess Board, Trustee Board, the Missionary Society, and other departments in the local church.
Mrs. Hughes served as President of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society for twenty years and during that time she traveled throughout the United States and South Africa. In 1938, she was given the opportunity to visit Cape Town, South Africa and it was there that she made what would perhaps be her most significant achievement during her tenure as President. She led the highly successful building fund campaign for the purpose of erecting the magnificent edifice, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cape Town. This grand feat was accomplished after she heard Bishop John A. Gregg tell of the great need for a church in the mission field of South Africa and she and others went to work.
It was May of 1944, at the General Conference in Philadelphia that the Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society and the Women's Parent Mite Missionary Society were combined and Mrs. Lucy Hughes was elected President of the new organization, the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
For these and many other reasons, the 10th Episcopal District, the great State of Texas, the home state of Lucy Hughes, is elated and excited to honor our native daughter during this 15th Quadrennial Convention of the Women's Missionary Society!