Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - ‘Women leading beyond the parish’

Presbyterian Women and Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries honor three at Women of Faith Breakfast

Ruling Elder Letty Heredia. Photo by Rich Copley

The Women of Faith Awards were established in 1986 to honor women members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) whose lives exemplify their Christian commitments. Nominations are received from throughout the church, and honorees are selected by a committee of representatives from groups related to Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries and Presbyterian Women. Awards are presented at the Women of Faith Breakfast during the General Assembly.

Tuesday's breakfast was a celebration of the prophetic witness that God has bestowed upon the lives of three women who are an inspiration to many outside the walls of the church. Kathy Reeves, moderator of the Presbyterian Women Board of Directors, said, “The theme for this year’s awards is ‘Women Leading Beyond the Parish.’ It recognizes women who have improved the quality of life for others in the face of systemic injustice.”

The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, reiterated that this year’s honorees, the Rev. Carol Ann Hoard and Ruling Elders Letty Heredia and Libby Kyles, “lead as they follow our ancestors, sisters of faith across the ages who have gone before, challenging powers and principalities, making a way out of no way, so the lives of the most vulnerable can experience the abundance of life, bestowed on all by our Creator.”

The Rev. Carol Ann Hoard. Photo by Rich Copley

In between stanzas of the hymn “For All the Faithful Women,” Hoard, Heredia and Kyles shared their stories of resilience. Heredia, a ruling elder at El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church in New York City, described her 20-plus years in construction engineering. Her first supervisor after college asked her if she was a woman because he thought he had hired a man. Her first title was “draftsman.” Heredia said that learning that she was nominated by a group of younger women who are a part of Hispanic Latin Presbyterian Women, who told her that she is an inspiration to them, has blessed her tremendously. She said she is so grateful to be honored and encouraged the crowd to “keep fighting, pushing and inspiring all those around you.”

Ordained in the Baptist tradition, Hoard described herself as a wounded bird after transitioning from a church she thought she would retire from. But she found herself drawn to Shelby Presbyterian Church in North Carolina and became minister of Christian Education and Families. But she was also drawn to a nonprofit, NYC Tree Girls, that she started with a friend, Tisha Dedmon, more than 10 years ago, as both women faced their first Christmas without loved ones. Grieving and looking for joy, they dressed up like Christmas trees and went to New York City. Hoard said, “If you see two grown women walking down the street, from head to toe, as Christmas trees, you can’t help but smile, and you can’t help but find joy.” Hoard said that her parents instilled in her the charge of Micah 6:8: “Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.” Dedmon said, “When Carol Ann came into [my life], I had no idea how much her laughter, silly antics, thoughtfulness and childlike spirit would be just what I needed. During the holiday season, I am thankful for God’s blessing of friendship.”

Ruling Elder Libby Kyles. Photo by Rich Copley

Kyles, an educator, community organizer and disruptor, is the executive director and director of organizational strategy and practice for the Tzedek Social Justice Fund and a co-founder of Youth Transformed for Life. Kyles is also a member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Asheville, North Carolina. Kyles’ pastor and co-conspirator, the Rev. Dr. Marcia Mount Shoop, said, “I don’t see any separation for her in the way she moves as a woman who is the executive director of a major granting organization to a person who is a community member or founder of an after-school program for Black and Brown children that is housed in GCPC, to her role in several groups around reparations. There is a consistency to the work she does and the person she is. She cares deeply about people, but her care and love for children is unmatched.”

Friend the Rev. Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks described Kyles as a gift to the universe. As Kyles accepted her award, she spoke specifically to her daughter in the room attending with her, yet the room of women also became her daughters. “Woman of Faith does not always mean you have to be the sacrifice. You are God-blessed. When it is yours to pick up and when it’s yours to put down.” As she continued on, Kyles said, “Women, you are not a side piece. We are not regulated to the back. We are purpose-driven. We are purpose-driven by God.”