Senate Resolution 39

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. GLENELL LEE-PRUITT AS THE FIRST FEMALE PASTOR AT HISTORIC SOLOMON CHAPEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CLEVELAND, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, in October of 1997, Glenell Lee-Pruitt decided to announce her calling into the ministry. She made the announcement at Solomon Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Cleveland, Mississippi, one Sunday. Nine years later, Pruitt is back at Solomon Chapel, but this time she's not just acknowledging her call, she's serving as its Pastor; and

WHEREAS, for the first time in its 122-year history, Solomon Chapel is under the leadership of a female Pastor; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pruitt, who resides in Leland, Mississippi, received the appointment from Bishop C.G. Henning, the presiding Bishop of the Eighth Episcopal District of Mississippi and Louisiana, on December 4, 2005, and preached her first sermon the following day; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pruitt's father, William Lee, was also an AME Minister who served as Pastor of churches in Bolivar County, Mississippi. She said she never thought she would be a Minister, but she is excited about the opportunity to share with her new church and the community it serves. Dr. Pruitt was ordained a Deacon in October 1999 and an Elder in October 2001. She has served various churches in the Delta area before being appointed to Solomon Chapel, including New Zion AME of Belzoni, Mississippi; Midway AME Church of Morgan City, Louisiana; Oneal Chapel AME of Sunflower, Mississippi; Allan Daniel Chapel AME of Glen Allan, Mississippi; and Disney Chapel AME of Greenville, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, being the first female Pastor in Solomon Chapel's history brings much excitement for Dr. Pruitt. "This church has a lot of history in Bolivar County, and to become a part of that history makes me feel wonderful"; and

WHEREAS, she holds a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Jackson State University, Master of Social Work from Temple University, and recently successfully defended her dissertation toward a Ph.D. in Social Work from Jackson State University; and

WHEREAS, because Dr. Pruitt's educational background is in Social Work, she says she is a person who is interested in enhancing and improving the community. She said one thing the church will start is an ACT ministry for students. While she is at Solomon Chapel she will stress the importance of education because she believes that in preaching about God you have to tell people how to better themselves; and

WHEREAS, the stress of education has historically been a part of the AME Church. The oldest black university in the country is an AME school, Wilberforce University in Ohio, which is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church and became the first co-educational college for blacks; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pruitt's biggest ministry is her family. Her husband, Steven; daughters, Maya and Gwendolyn; granddaughter, Jailynn Mariah; and her mother, Bertha Lee, are very important to Dr. Pruitt and are her biggest supporters; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize that Solomon Chapel is celebrating the birth of the AME national founder, Bishop Richard Allan, as they also celebrate a new era in leadership by this outstanding Mississippi citizen:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Glenell Lee-Pruitt as the first female Pastor at historic Solomon Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cleveland, Mississippi, and extend to her, her family and her congregation the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Pruitt and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.