My Mother c. 1946.
The daughter of immigrant coal miners from what was then Czechoslovakia, Mom was the first woman to graduate from Duke University Divinity School. She pushed the dean to create a “Women’s Program”. Back then there just weren’t any women ministers.
She also married a minister!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleIt is a picture of a mother that every child should be proud of. Very beautiful and very memorable. It feels so good to see old photos of your parents. You are so lucky Julie.
Yes, I was very lucky to have such parents. I don’t know if you can see it in the photo, but Mom was as sweet and kind and generous as she was beautiful. Everyone who knew her loved her. Same with Dad. It wasn’t always easy being “a preacher’s daughter”, but now that I know more about the “real world”, I treasure their peaceful, nurturing world even more. Thanks for your comment,… Read more »
You’re welcome, Julie.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHer smile says everything. You must be proud of her. Lovely picture!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Brigitta.
Julie, this brought a tear to my eye. My grandmother was also a minister with my grandfather. How cool is that?
She was beautiful. Thanks for sharing ?
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleMelissa, that is truly awesome that your grandmother was also a minister with your grandfather. Was that your Dad’s mother or your Mom’s mother? Between that and both of us tromping through tons of snow to get to school, we have a lot in common!
Julie, I was just about to say we have a lot in common! It was my dad’s parents and he actually lived on top of the church. That was his home.
How wonderful that she was the first woman to graduate there. She made history! I love how you have linked the two pictures.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI told my sister about posting this picture and she told me a family story I hadn’t heard before. Evidently there were four women graduating from Duke Divinity School the same year as Mom. They were to be called to the stage in alphabetical order by last name. Mom’s maiden name was “Luke” and there was one woman whose last name began with an earlier letter of the alphabet. However, the other… Read more »
Your avatar photo is small on my screen but I think I can see a strong resemblance to your mother? A lovely story of a strong but gentle woman 🙂
Your mother sounds like an incredible lady. You must have been so proud of her achievements.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWhat a lovely glow your Mother has Julie. She also appears to be looking slightly upwards – perhaps to Heaven ?!