Special Episode: Andrea Byer-Thomas and Women’s Her-story Month

In honor of Women's History Month, Derrick Scott III sits down with Rev. Dr. Andrea Byer-Thomas — ordained elder, pastor of Community UMC in Fort Pierce, and member of the Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) — for a wide-ranging conversation about the history, challenges, and ongoing work of women in United Methodist ministry. From Susanna Wesley to the landmark 1956 ordination milestone, from the first women who preached without sanction to the women still navigating resistance today, this episode is a celebration and a charge. Show Notes 0:00 — Introducing Rev. Dr. Andrea Byer-Thomas and COSROW 6:19 — Women's ordination timeline: from Susanna Wesley to 1956 9:47 — Challenges of the first ordained women: no roadmap, no mentors 17:06 — Why COSROW monitors the annual conference 22:49 — Women who shaped Andrea's call to ministry 33:45 — A word to young women discerning a call 37:21 — What the church needs from its men