About Us

In 1955 The AMEC Bishops' Spouses Council, originally called the "Bishops Wives Council," was founded. Initially, Presidents were elected based upon seniority, the first being Mrs. Julia Fountain, the wife of the Senior Bishop. That custom no longer exists.

In her writings, Mrs. Elvira Baber characterized the Council as a group of sisters seeking a closer relationship. They convened to develop a sisterhood with those of like purpose. Paramount among their goals was to be kind, loving and supportive wives for the husbands, Bishops in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Furthermore, this group sought to celebrate honest and open expression, seek and obtain the support one from the other, and to benefit from the power of prayer on behalf of others, issues and concerns across the globe and for themselves.

In July 2000 at the General Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, the first female Bishop of the denomination was elected. With open arms, the Council welcomed its first male member, Stan McKenzie. The name of the Council was immediately changed to "Bishops' Spouses Council." Now, the Council has three male members.

Over the years, the Council has actively engaged in substantive retreats, sponsored the Annual Prayer Breakfast for the Women's Missionary Society's Executive Board Meetings, welcomed and honored new members, donated to and supported worthy causes monitored and reported on widows to our districts, and conducted memorials for deceased members.

The Bishops' Spouses, also known as Episcopal Supervisors, remain committed to fostering a loving, unified, ministerial family for the work of God through the African Methodist Episcopal Church.