Francine Childs before audience at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, circa 1990s
1 media/childs-francine-mtzion-ca1990s_01_thumb.jpg 2024-08-08T12:48:12-07:00 Mt. Zion Baptist Church Preservation Society & Ohio University Libraries 1311af0f68bbb33cc3d859eb693829683d64f3ee 45763 2 Francine Childs stands at front of Mt. Zion Church sanctuary with arms held up as if directing choir while audience members sit in pews plain 2024-08-08T12:57:59-07:00 1990s In copyright Ohio University Photographer Archives, Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries. Francine C. Childs, Mt. Zion Church, circa 1990s 20230509 115352-0400 Ohio University photographer Athens Ohio Ohio University Libraries. Mahn JMC Black and white photographic print. Francine C. Childs stands at front of Mt. Zion Church sanctuary with arms held up as if directing choir. Those people seated in the church pews all look in the same direction. Written on sticky note on back of photo: "Pages 22 & 23. bleed. 56x30 pica Short 100%" "Francine Childs Mt. Zion Church Athens" Ohio University Archives Mt. Zion Baptist Church Preservation Society & Ohio University Libraries 1311af0f68bbb33cc3d859eb693829683d64f3eeThis page is referenced by:
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Community Service & Practice
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The impact of Dr. Francine Childs extended beyond the walls of the Department of African American Studies and the Athens Campus of Ohio University. It extended into the community.
In this process, she deployed several tactics, beginning with, communication practices.
Among these were “print and paper plus” tactics. Examples of this approach were the regular CAAS [Center for Afro-American Studies] Newsletter, and the internationalist Sauti. For the latter publication, which encouraged African solidarity and cross-cultural dialogue, she was able to mobilize the continental and diasporic African presence on the campus. Among the contributors to Sauti were Augustin Hatar, Zakes Mda and Cosmo Pieterse. As Dr. Childs has reminded, “We were also able to publish a journal on Black media.”
Over those almost 50 years, and drawing upon the example of her grandmother, Clara Victoria Frazier, known as “Mama Clara,” a NAACP organizer and community leader, Dr. Childs led, encouraged, and supported programs related to Black History Month and activities related to the NAACP.In the department, under my jurisdiction, I tried to connect students and faculty. I sent out letters and asking every Black faculty, staff, whatever area they were in, if they would participate in a Black forum during Black History Month. I also invited some of the Black people from the community to come, such as Herpel Saunders—the scion of the musical family and leader of the music program at Mount Zion Baptist Church.”
⯁⯁⯁ Throughout her almost 50-year presence in the Athens community, Dr. Childs was a visible and active leader in the community’s interrelated social, cultural, and spiritual life. Despite the many structural challenges, she was always a symbol of Black aspiration and joy. By the time Dr. Childs became Chair of African American Studies, there was a significant Black family-based community in Athens and the associated challenges (some expressed as the cause of retention problems), such as relations with police and lack of Black barbershops or access to Black cosmetic supplies. It is with these connected “campus and community” challenges that we see the depth of Dr. Childs’ personal praxis.
Here we emphasize a few examples of her commitments. We have already referred to the founding of the Gospel Voices of Faith in 1974. To this we can add her fasting against racism, against violence against women, and for social justice, and her substantial investments in the Mount Zion Baptist Church with its historic linkages with Black Southeast Ohio.Fast for Social Justice (1978)
For the causes of race relations and gender equality, Dr. Childs showed a commitment to making the ultimate sacrifice during a public fast in the spring of 1978.
The triggering moment was the aftermath of a dance organized by Black students in Baker Center when Dr. Childs received a call from attendees indicating that that their exit was “roped off” and that they were confronted by “Some White male students who had bats and clubs.” This is how Dr. Childs reflected on this moment:“We can’t get out of here.” So, I said, “Call security. I’m on my way.” There was racial tension! Additionally, female students were being raped. I didn’t know of any Black women who had been raped, but I knew of a number of White women who had been raped. I said to the president of the university, the dean of students, the chief of police, and the mayor of the city, that until they did something about the racial violence and the sexual abuse of women,[...] I would never eat again. This was before I was chair.
My fast was related to the department; it was related to Black male students being attacked, and to women being raped. It was also about the lack of Black faculty and administrators as there were no Blacks in housing, Baker Center, and student services. So my fast was about injustice all over campus. I had come up with a list of grievances, which I sent to the dean of students (who was then Joel Rudy); I sent them to the president; the chief of police and to the mayor of the city. I called every church in town and asked them if they would send a representative to meet with the administration. Here is what really caused me to fast, and you’ve heard that story.
I had never fasted in my life before. But I was jogging on the bike path at 5:30 AM in the morning, and I was quoting Scriptures and praying as I was jogging. I heard an audible voice saying: “There’s power in prayer,” just like that! I looked around and I asked, “Lord, is that you?” I started running. And by another fourth of a mile, I heard that voice again. So that’s why I went into fasting. Over 1,500 people assembled in front of the president’s office. And it’s interesting—there might’ve been more than that if the papers had come out on time. But every student organization came and read the resolution. Black students, White students, all of the student fraternities, sororities, and people came out and supported that cause. Because of that, I had a good reputation with students.Mount Zion Baptist Church
By 1976, the GVF were featured in the Installation Service for Rev. Eddie Buffington. In 1981, Dr. Childs joined with the Mayor of Athens and other community leaders to welcome Pastor E. J. Peppers at his installation in 1981. In 1998, Dr. Francine Childs became the first female pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, a post she held until 2004. In this role she invested substantial time and treasure. The spirit of that investment in time and treasure is being rekindled with the current development of the Mount Zion Black Cultural Center.
A similar passion was evident in her engagement with Mount Zion Baptist Church. Here she invested treasure and time to bring life to the church established in 1872.
All this Dr. Childs did with taste and style! Who can forget the Fashionista—the Hat Lady!Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Setting the Scene
- Early Life & Career
- Academic Engagement
- Community Service & Practice
- Impact and Legacy
- Acknowledgements
- References
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