LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, – In the 1970’s and 1980’s, the women’s movement reached the Southern Baptist Convention. “Midwives of a Movement” chronicles the stories of the women who boldly birthed a movement to seek greater visibility and opportunities for women in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Despite great opposition, their courage blazed pathways for advancing women in ministry among Baptists.
The documentary’s production team began its work in late 2022 and made plans to conduct interviews with women at the forefront of the movement in June 2023. Little did they know that the documentary’s subject— challenging Southern Baptist patriarchy— would find headlines again that same month. Also in June 2023, SBC messengers voted to uphold decisions to disfellowship Saddleback Church and Fern Creek Baptist Church for having female pastors, and approved the first reading of a constitutional amendment to disfellowship all other churches served by women with the title of pastor.
“The women who started our movement were bold and tenacious visionaries,” said Meredith Stone, Executive Director of Baptist Women in Ministry. “While they found a way forward, the patriarchal forces they fought are still at work. With heartfelt stories, painful anecdotes, profound insights, and lighthearted remembrances, ‘Midwives of a Movement’ will inspire the next generation to continue confronting patriarchy in religious spaces.”
Event Details:
- Date & Time: Monday, October 2, 2023, 6:30 PM
- Location: Broadway Baptist Church, 4000 Brownsboro Rd., Louisville, KY
The premiere event will include a screening of the documentary, followed by a panel discussion with the film’s production team. Members of the media are invited to attend. To RSVP or for more information about “Midwives of a Movement,” email Meredith Stone at meredithstone@bwim.info.