Ann Robb Smith papers, 1970 -- 2004

Collection context

Creator:
Smith, Ann Robb
Abstract:
Ann Robb Smith was a member of the women's ordination planning group prior to the ordination of the first women Episcopal priests at the Church of the Advocate, in Philadelphia, July 29, 1974 ["the Philadelphia 11"]. She was the lay presenter for the ordination of Sue Hiatt, and a member of the National Advisory Committee of Women's Ordination Now. She was an ordained Assistant at the Church of the Advocate. The collection contains working papers, correspondence, clippings, and other related materials which tell the story of the ordination of the Philadelphia 11, from the planning stage to the immediate responses and later anniversaries of the event, including papers relating to Women's Ordination Now.
Extent:
1 linear foot 1 linear foot; 2 boxes
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

This collection contains working papers, correspondence, clippings, and other related materials which tell the story of the ordination of eleven women as Episcopal priests on July 29, 1974, from the planning stage to the immediate responses and later anniversaries of the event, including papers relating to Women's Ordination Now.

Biographical / historical:

Ann Robb Smith was one of three children of Henry Jr. and Gertrude Robb, and was a resident of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She married Kaighn Smith, an obstetrician-gynecologist and former professor at Thomas Jefferson Medical School. They had three children and four grandchildren. Ann was a member of the Women's ordination planning group prior to the ordination of eleven women deacons to the Episcopal priesthood, known as the Philadelphia 11. At that ordination she was the lay presenter of Sue Hiatt for ordination. The Philadelphia 11 were ordained at the Church of the Advocate, Philadelphia on July 29, 1974 by Bishops Robert L. DeWitt, former Bishop of Pennsylvania, Daniel Corrigan, former head of the Church's domestic missions, Edward Welles, retired bishop of West Missouri and Bishop Ramos. The eleven ordinands were: Merril Bittmer, Alla Bozarth-Campbell, Alison Cheek, Emily Hewitt, Carter Heyward, Suzanne Hiatt, Marie Moorefield, Jeannette Piccard, Betty Schiess, Katrina Swanson, Nancy Wittig. Two priests: William A Wendt of St Stephen and the Incarnation Church and L. Peter Beebe of Oberlin, Ohio were brought to trial in church courts for permitting women ordained in Philadelphia on July 29, 1974 to function as priests. Responses from church and press led to the establishing of the Women's Ordination Now group to support those women whose ordination at Philadelphia was put under scrutiny and also to support the 3 ordaining bishops and priests who invited the women to celebrate the Eucharist. Ann Robb Smith was a member of the National Advisory Committee of Women's Ordination Now. She was ordained to the priesthood and was the Assistant at the Church of the Advocate. She died in 2021.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection contains some restricted material. Restrictions related to specific material are listed in the detailed contents list.

The following boxes are located offsite: Box 1-2. Please note that requests for use of boxes held in offsite storage must be made three business days in advance.

Terms of access:

Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.

Preferred citation:

Item description, AWTS: Ann Robb Smith papers, 1970-2004, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:
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