History of our Founder Miss Victoria Richardson (1856-1926)


Ms. Victoria Richardson
  

Victoria Richardson is remembered in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church as the fine Christian young woman who founded and organized the Young Woman's Home & Foreign Missionary Society for the purpose of helping youth develop into young Christian Missionaries. A pioneer teacher and librarian at Livingstone College, she wrote the music to the college song, "My Livingstone." Miss Richardson was a lover of youth and she had the innate ability to organize. Moreover, the idea of service to others and self-improvement permeated her whole being. The first group she organized was the Temperance League in Concord, NC. In Salisbury, she also organized the first interdenominational group of youth, who delighted in carrying flowers to the sick and elderly and to the grave of the soldiers in the National Cemetery. Out of her philosophy for living and the service rendered by the interdenominational group she organized, grew the idea of organizing the young women of the A.M.E. Zion Church into a Young Missionary Society. In the spring of 1909, the first meeting of the Young Woman's Missionary Society was held. As Miss Richardson worked with the young women who were a part of the organization, she aided in their spiritual development and personal improvement. Miss Richardson's experience with this local society was so rewarding that she reported its success to the Connectional Council and Executive Board of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society in September 1909. The report was well received and forwarded to the 1912 General Conference being held in Charlotte, North Carolina, which adopted the organization. This God-inspired achievement stands today as the link between the Buds of Promise Juvenile Missionary Society and the Young Adult Missionary Society. Let us always remember the contributions of this great Woman of God and Woman of Excellence. PIONEERING WOMEN OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH Written and Edited by Rev. Dr. Dorothy S. Johnson and Rev. Lula G. Williams A.M.E. Zion Publishing House, Charlotte, NC 1996. (A.M.E. Zion Logos)

Ages: 13-21

Junior Y's - 13-16

Senior Y's - 17-21

Watch Word
"Christ For Every Youth and Every Youth For Christ"

SONG: "Give of Your Best to The Master"

MOTTO: 'Ambassadors for Christ'

COLORS: Navy Blue and Gold

SYMBOLISM: Truth, Loyality - Heaven and Honor

Observed - 2nd Sunday in January

----------------------------------

2009 Program (Regular Size)

2008 Program (Legal Size)
Ms. LaToya Miller - Local Youth Secretary

Rev. Diane Davidson- Statesville District Youth Secretary

Mrs. Charlean Mapson, General Youth Secretary

Mrs. Barbara L. Shaw, General President
Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society A.M.E. Zion Church