The discussion highlights cunning loopholes that allowed women to carve out roles in ministry despite official prohibitions. From the historical struggle for women's ordination to the evolving influence of pastor's wives, personal stories reveal resilience in a male-dominated environment. Challenges in pursuing ministry roles are illuminated, along with the significant contributions of trailblazers like Rosalie Beck and Bertha Smith. This exploration of gender norms in faith showcases the complex dynamics of women's authority within the Southern Baptist Convention.
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Rosalie Beck's Seminary Experience
Rosalie Beck, the first female religion professor at Baylor, faced sexism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
A professor, Dr. Cal Guy, dismissed women's understanding of his "make do with what you have" missiology lesson.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Rosalie's PhD Experience
Dr. Davidson, Rosalie's professor, told a sexist "thought game" story, excluding her due to her gender.
Rosalie outsmarted him with the answer, highlighting his prejudice.
insights INSIGHT
Ordination as a Barrier
Baylor's hiring of Rosalie Beck hinged on two questions: was she ordained or did she want to be?
Ordination became a barrier for women in the SBC, blocking opportunities.
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In Episode 3 of All the Buried Women, co-hosts Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke explore the "loopholes" that allowed women to serve in ministry within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), despite the formal prohibition against female ordination. These loopholes included roles like professors, missionaries, and pastor’s wives, which allowed women to take on leadership and preaching roles in practice, even though they were not officially recognized as ordained ministers.
We reached out to the SBC, Paige Patterson, Darryl Gilyard, Tommy Gilmore, and the Council for National Policy for comment, and did not hear back.
Writing and Editing: Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke
Sound Editing and Music: Savannah Locke and Todd Locke
Introduction and Closing Song: Jaded by Savannah Locke
Special Thanks (in order of appearance): Rosalie Beck, Steve Bezner, and Pamela Durso
Partner Organization: The Bible for Normal People
Additional Thanks: Andy Clark, Systems Administrator within the University Libraries at Baylor University; Erin Smith, Marketing Manager at Baker Publishing Group; Jordan Corona; Dr. Taffey Hall, Director of the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives; Brittany Prescott, Podcast Producer for The Bible for Normal People; Adam McCullough, Archivist of Canadian Baptist Archives at McMaster Divinity College; Gordon Heath, Director of Canadian Baptist Archives at McMaster Divinity College; Rev. Leanne Friesen, Executive Minister of Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ) and CBOQ executive board; and Audrey and Alex from Lawyers for Reporters.
The Bible For Normal People 
