Emilie M. Townes is a womanist ethicist and an author and speaker on African American women and the church, specializing in themes such as the oppressive forces of race, sex, and sexuality in the church and society. She has held appointments at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School, the Yale Divinity School, and Union Theological Seminary. The collection contains addresses and sermons, publications, correspondence, coursework and teaching material, memorabilia, and other related materials that reflect her life, work, and thought as a womanist theologian.
Katie Geneva Cannon, the first African-American woman ordained in the United Presbyterian Church, was a minister, professor, and foundational voice of womanist theology. The collection contains professional and personal materials including coursework, biographical material, artwork, teaching resources including syllabi, writing and research materials including drafts and notes, sermons, lectures and documentation of speaking engagements, correspondence, and publicity materials.