Episcopal Church Women

Leila J. Mizer

Province IV – Diocese of Southwest Florida

Leila, presently the Senior Warden at St.  James House of Prayer Episcopal Church in Tampa, serves as a lector, email communications person, camera operator and stewardship chairperson there, is a member of The Order of the Daughters of the King, having served as president of the local chapter, Diocesan President and currently as  the historian for the Diocesan DOK. She was ECW Diocesan president-elect for three years, president for three years.

She is the treasurer for her local ECW chapter.  She is a member of the Diocesan Race & Reconciliation Committee, and a member of the Union of Black Episcopalians serving as the secretary for the Rev. John E. Culmer Chapter of the U.B.E. in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. She is on the transition team for the Bishop Coadjutor Search Committee.

Leila retired as a public-school administrator in Pasco County, FL.  She was Principal of R. B. Cox Elementary School for fifteen years and Supervisor in Exceptional Student Education for two years.  She earned an ED Specialist degree in Administration from Wichita State University as well as a master’s degree in School Psychology from WSU.  Leila’s undergraduate degree in education is from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas.

Sylvia Doubleday

Province IV – Diocese of Southeast Florida

Mrs. Sylvia (“Sylvia”) Doubleday is a dedicated member of Episcopal Church Women (“ECW”) at The Episcopal Church of the Atonement, Lauderdale Lakes, FL.

She is a Lay Eucharistic Minister, has been a choir member at various times, and led the Church as a Vestry member on three occasions.  Dedicated to serving and helping others, Sylvia volunteers for four groups: Cursillo, Daughters of the King “DOK”, ECW, and Mothers’ Union.

As an ECW member, she works in the background supporting women, ECW-supported charities, and others in the Church through prayer and fellowship. Reliable and dependable, Sylvia sees commitments through, even with short notice. She teaches adults to read and avoids the publicity.

A charter member of the Mothers’ Union, she was instrumental in instituting the annual scholarship fund, which provides scholarships for graduating seniors who have been accepted in a college or university. Sylvia’s “life in the secular community reflects her Christian values”.

When asked about the woman in the Bible who she is most like, Sylva reflected that she has aspects of many. We believe she is most like Rebekah who was very industrious and hospitable.

Lisa Towle

Diocese of North Carolina

The ECW of the Diocese of North Carolina is pleased to name Lisa H. Towle as its Distinguished Woman for Triennial Meeting 2022.

Lisa served as President of the Board of National Episcopal Church Women from 2015-2018.

Before that, from 2012-2015, she was Secretary of the National ECW Board. Prior to that, she led the church women of the Diocese of NC as President for 12 years and head of Christian Social Ministries for 3 years. Lisa has also been a proven leader in her home community.

Brenda Davis Hawkins

Province IV – Diocese of Mississippi

Brenda Davis Hawkins, Church of the Holy Trinity, Vicksburg, MS is the Diocese of Mississippi’s Distinguished Woman nominee. Married for 54 years to Russell Edward Hawkins, they have 3 married children and 5 grands.

She has served as President: Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary, Library Board, and Mental Health Association. Chairman of the Board: City of Vicksburg Zoning, Family Development, and Haven House Family Shelter receiving the United Way of West Central Mississippi’s Volunteer of the Year award and Leadership award.

Serving on Diocese of MS. ECW Board for 24 years, she’s been ECW President, Secretary, Convocation Coordinator, and Delegate to three Triennials.  Currently Brenda is UTO Coordinator for the Diocese.

At Holy Trinity, Brenda is in ECW, Daughters of the King, Lector, Pastoral Care and Docent Chair welcoming visitors, sharing history, architecture, and beautiful stained-glass windows. Brenda loves her Church and takes great pride in sharing its beauty and Good News of God’s Love.

Judy Weber

Province IV – Diocese of Louisiana

Judy Weber has been a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Morgan City, LA for over 50 years, having taught Sunday School, sponsored the youth group with her husband, served as president of Trinity Episcopal Church Women (ECW) and in various other offices.

Before COVID she was a Lay Eucharistic Minister, still serves on the Altar Guild and sings in the choir.  Because the church is presently without a rector, she leads Morning Prayer some Sundays when a supply priest is not available.

On the diocesan level, Judy served on the Executive Board of the Diocese of Louisiana as well as the Executive Board of ECW and as a delegate to the Diocesan Convention. On the ECW executive board she was Southwest Deanery chair and Church Periodical Club Chair.  A delegate to Triennial in 2012 and 2015, in 2018 she attended the CPC meetings in Austin.

After retiring from teaching, Judy became a listener for children at a local elementary school, volunteered for an after-school program for high school students where she tutored, taught baking, introduced them to classical artists, and taught them to play canasta. She also served on the board for the program.

Rev. June Johnson

Province IV – Diocese of Georgia

The Reverend June Johnson is a native Georgian, born in Albany and currently living on Tybee Island on the coast from Savannah.  A graduate of the University of Georgia and Candler School of Theology at Emory University, she was ordained a priest in 2009. Married to Kent Failing, they will celebrate their 32^nd wedding anniversary in May.

June has served three churches in the Diocese of Georgia: St. John’s in Bainbridge, Holy Nativity on St. Simons Island and now serves All Saints on Tybee Island (her home church).  She says that these are the three best churches in the Diocese and is so blessed to have served in each.

In addition to her parish work, she serves as a Trainer for LWG, a member of RJGA (Racial Justice Georgia) and is currently the Chaplain for the Diocesan DOK.  She devotes time to the Tybee MLK Human Rights Organization, Forever Tybee (a group working for transparency in city government) and the Ethics Commission for the City of Tybee.

She is active in the Tybee Island Ministers Association.  This year Tybee is returning to its traditional Easter Sunrise Service on the Pier – Hallelujah!

Lydia Bush

Province IV – Diocese of Florida

Lydia, a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Live Oak, FL, is involved in many ministries.  She has served as lay reader, altar guild member, acolyte, youth group leader, and adult Sunday school instructor.

She attended Cursillo, worked on many teams and served as Rector. She attended two DOK Triennials.  Lydia serves as the liaison to our companion church in Cuba and has made several mission trips there.  She coordinated the committee that built the Labyrinth behind our church.  Her calling to become a Deacon was affirmed by St. Luke’s parish.

After retirement from the State of Florida, she led the parish in establishing Shepherd’s Hands, a free charitable clinic for our community.  She was appointed administrator of the clinic and led it to expand to other locations. Lydia was ordained Deacon in January 2020.  When the pandemic hit, Lydia served a crucial role, holding our parish together.

Our rector retired and in-person services ended.  She organized communication avenues, formed a committee to reach out to shut-ins, arranged to hold services on Facebook, led studies and meetings on Zoom and truly kept us connected.  Lydia is an outstanding leader, servant and humble follower of Our Lord Jesus Christ!

Dale Dreps

Province IV – Diocese of Central Florida

Ms. Dale Dreps has served in many leadership positions in her parish.  They have included VP of the Women’s Guild at St. George and President of ECW plus sponsoring a diaper drive for local mothers.

As an avid golfer Dale sponsors an annual charity golf tournament, fashion show, Christmas tour, yard sales and other events.

Her leadership has taken St. George to the next level. She looks forward to serving whenever and wherever needed.

Kay Williams

Province IV – Diocese of Alabama

Kay Williams serves as deacon of Grace Episcopal Church in Woodlawn, Alabama, a community of predominately African American and Hispanic residents, many who are low income and homeless.  GraceWorks, founded by Kay in 2013, recognized the need to serve inner-city youth.

She established a summer program for children and teenagers ages 11-14,  designed to help reinforce academic success, develop positive character traits, teach life lessons and skills, discover personal strengths and talents, and grow spiritually.

The ministry includes developing rain catchments in the grounds, a “Food Forest Garden” with fruits and vegetables, and refurbishing an adjacent building (known as Grace Place) to provide a free laundry service, a warming station, food pantry, and chapel.

Additionally, Kay has been instrumental in organizing all of the necessary supplies, funding, meals, and volunteers for GraceWorks and Grace Place, raising awareness for the program by involving whole congregations at the other Episcopal parishes in the Birmingham area, recently hosting our Birmingham ECW Convocation meeting. GraceWorks shares Christ’s love with those that are less fortunate, blessed by the hard work and dedication of Kay with a lasting impact on those who serve and live in the Woodlawn community.

MaryRose Chappelle

Province III – Diocese of Washington D.C.

MaryRose Chappelle has been an active member of Calvary Episcopal Church in Washington since 1956. She has served as Vestry member, Chair of St. Ann’s Guild, Advisor to the Youth Committee, Church School teacher, Church School Superintendent, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Bereavement Officer, and President of the Episcopal Church Women and Girls of Calvary.

At the diocesan level, MaryRose served as convention delegate, member of the DC Chapter of Union of Black Episcopalians(UBE), Chair of the Annual Absalom Jones Celebration, and member of the Committee on Racism.

MaryRose has been recognized for her service in her church, community and the District of Columbia. These recognitions include Resolutions from the Council of the District of Columbia, the Outstanding District of Columbia Employee Award, the District of Columbia Public School’s Distinguished Service Award, and the Girl Scout Thanks Badge Award, the highest adult honor attainable for service with the Girl Scouts, USA.

MaryRose was the first African American to receive the Knox Award, the highest adult honor in the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, the Outstanding Church Woman of the Year Award, the Martin Luther King Outstanding Community Service Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Union of Black Episcopalians.