Black Women's Organizations

BIOGRAPHIES: Women of the Old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church and the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church Who Have Made Their Mark

Elizabeth Alexander:  Served as a member of the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church Deaconess Board until her death. Like several other matriarchs of the church, she opened her home to foster children in need of care. At the age of 62,she was still providing a Christian home for children and cared for more than fifty children during her lifetime. Many of her "children" remain active community leaders today. She was a member of the Century Club at old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church.

Florence Baugh:  Exhibited leadership and oratory skills as a child in the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church. She later was elected President of the Board of Education and continues to serve her community in leadership and activist roles.

Martha Boykin: Revered as the only black female puppeteer in the United States in the early years. She was a member of the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church and continued membership in the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church until her death.  She was a highly acclaimed soprano and sang in the Senior and Gospel Choirs and performed locally throughout the community.

Alma Brooks:  Devoted churchwoman and member of both the old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church and the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church. Brooks was a noted literary scholar. She was the author of two books: Acres of Diamonds and Quotations with a Meaning. She also wrote a weekly column for The Buffalo Criterion for many years.

Ruby Butts:  Outstanding was an early entrepreneur and member of the old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church. Her interest in nutrition led her to open her own health food store, which she ran successfully for several decades almost single-handedly. She also ran her own beauty salon. She is the mother of Hortense Nash, well known musician and educator, and Gloria.  

Bessie Colley:  Well known gospel singer in the city. As a young woman, Colley organized the Gospel Chorus at the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church and continued to serve as director of the Chorus after the church moved to Humboldt Parkway.  Hers was the voice heard singing the theme song, "It is No Secret" for the Sherman L. Walker Funeral Home religious broadcast every Sunday night for many years. She was also a Deaconess and member of the Missionary society until her retirement.

Carolyn Daughtry:  Exhibited leadership skills and interest in social issues as a young woman in the Michigan Avenue Baptist church. She later became the first African-American to head the city's Department of Social Services.

Alma Fisher: Documented as the first African American female born in Buffalo. She became an expert dressmaker whose fashions were worn and admired by many members of the black community. Fischer was always "a "lady" and set an example of appropriate Christian behavior for the youth in her church. She was a member of the old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, and continued membership at the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church until her death.

Madeline Grinage:  Grinage is a renowned local soprano commissioned to perform at Kleinhans Music Hall and in concerts all over New York State. As a teenager at the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, she gave of her time to teach African-American children to sing and later served as director of the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church Senior Choir until her retirement. She continues to serve as a member of several auxiliaries of the church.

Rosella J. Harris:  Rosella was a faithful member of the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church.  She served on the Senior Choir and the Golden Deeds Club.  Her quiet and peaceful manner was a positive influence in the total work of the Church.

Louisiana Hilliard:  Wife of Rev John T. Hilliard of the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church, L.A., as she is affectionately called, is noted for her gentle spirit and willingness to assist whenever and wherever necessary.  She is active in numerous church organizations including the Sunday School and the Missionary Society. If a member is out sick or hasn't been seen in church for a few Sundays, you can be sure they can expect a call from Mrs. Hilliard. She has been working with Meals on Wheels for numerous years and was a recent recipient of the 2001 Black Achievers Award.

Lucille Howard:  Affectionately known as "Mama" to many, she was the oldest in church membership of the Humboldt Parkway Baptist church, having joined the old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church in 1910. She served for 89 years. An excellent role model for Christian service, she loved her church and her church loved her. 

Marion L. Jackson:  Marion Jackson is known as an active churchwoman and chair of the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church Deaconess Board for several years.  Ms. Jackson was the first African-American named supervisor at the Westinghouse Plant in Buffalo. In this capacity, she oversaw Electronics and small component wiring in the Electrical Department. In addition to her leadership on the Deaconess Board, Jackson is past chaplain of the Usher Board, and vice president of the Missionary Society. She promotes missionary work across her community and is a recipient of the Black Achiever's Award. Sister Jackson is an excellent role model for Humboldt youth and readily lets it be known that Christ is the head of her life.

Myrtis Jackson:  Wife of Reverend Robert Jackson, Associate Pastor of the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church, Mrs. Jackson initiated her membership at the old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church. She is a retired schoolteacher. As a reading specialist for the Board of Education, she was one of its finest and most dedicated teachers. She is also a member of the AKA Sorority, a public service organization, and is known for her work in the community. She was a member of the American Association of University Women for many years. She currently teaches elementary school-aged children in the Sunday School and lends her alto voice to the Mass and Senior Choirs.  

Pansy Lyles:  Mrs. Lyles loved youth and served faithfully as superintendent of the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church Sunday School from 1963 to 1976. She was also a member of the Deaconess Board, and the Golden Deed Club. In her work at the YMCA, she paved the way for hundreds of youth to receive educational scholarships and summer jobs.

Myrtle McTyre:  Expert fashion designer and seamstress. She also supported her husband's efforts to bring classical and religious choral music to the African-American community and to the old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church for many years.

Mrs. Frances Nash:  Wife of Reverend J. Edward Nash, and First Lady of the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church from 1892 - 1953. Mrs. Nash served as superintendent of the Sunday School for many years and was known to walk the streets recruiting children for the Sunday School and scolding those who did not attend. She knew how to motivate and develop youth and her presence was felt throughout the Buffalo community. Intelligent and knowledgeable, Mrs. Nash was a lifetime community activist and expert seamstress. During World War II, she received a contract to help make soldiers' uniforms.

Delores Nelson:  Her smile and dedication to church activities will be long remembered. Baptized in the old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church at a young age, Nelson was active in the community and a great supporter of the Meal on Wheels Program. She also sang in several choirs and served as a role model for youth at the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church until her untimely death. She loved her church and the Great Lakes Baptist Association. In fact, she became fatally ill while speaking before this group.

Mary Scott:  Deaconess Scott was "spotted" by the older ladies of old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church as a promising young Christian worker and was groomed for the roles she continues to play in the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church. She has taught the Kindergarten Sunday School Class for forty years. Children love her, and she serves as a role model and second Mom to many. She is the wife of Deacon Willie Scott, and in her quiet way, really makes a difference in the lives of those she serves. She recognizes the need to preserve the history of the church and can always be called upon to share her valuable information and memories.

Mary B. Talbert:  International champion for human and civil rights. At the turn of the century Talbert became one of the most effective catalysts for change in Buffalo's black community. She was a founder of the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church.  In 1905, Talbert collaborated with W.E.B. Dubois and others in the organization of the Niagara Movement. The Niagara Movement was the forerunner of the Buffalo Chapter of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People established in 1910. Talbert rose to national prominence as a gifted orator, charismatic leader, and brilliant strategist, and received the NAACP's prestigious Spingarn Medal in 1922.  

Rhoda Townsend:  A great proponent of music and the arts, "Townsend", as she was affectionately called, served as president of the Litmus Club in 1928. She also served as president of the Federated Women's Clubs for many years. Townsend was responsible for promoting cultural activities in both old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church and in the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church where she was an active member until her death in 1982. 

Margarete Wilkinson:  Served as pianist for the Gospel Chorus under the direction of Bessie Colley from the time it was founded at the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church.  Wilkinson has served as the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church Pianist for over 40 years and currently accompanies all choirs. She quietly continues to serve as an inspiration to young children and youth. She is also a hair stylist and has been committed to keeping Buffalo's African - American women looking their best for several decades.

Mary Wood: Devoted to the old Michigan Avenue Baptist Church and the community, Mrs. Wood also served as director of the YMCA and provided inspiration and leadership to hundreds of Buffalo's youth, many of whom are now community builders and leaders themselves.