Retiring Fund for Deaconesses. Records

AO-00-R0288

The Archives of the Episcopal Church

Fonds

Retiring Fund for Deaconesses. Records

• 1927-1986 (Creation)

2 cu.ft. (6 boxes)

When the Church Pension Fund was established by the General Convention in 1913, no provision was made to include deaconesses. To rectify this, the deaconesses formed their own not-for-profit corporation, assuming most of the officer positions, and began to raise funds to supplement retired deaconesses’ income. By 1927, the Retiring Fund for Deaconesses (RFD) was firmly established and provided financial assistance to retired and disabled deaconesses who were unable to provide for themselves.

The records of the Retiring Fund for Deaconesses (RFD) comprise correspondence, minutes, printed material, financial documents, and reports that originated primarily in the files of Margaret Jackson, who served as the Secretary (1967-1982) and as a member of the Board of Directors (1982-1984). The correspondence reflects the devotion of women nurturing a community of former colleagues, a considerable portion of which documents the deaconesses’ position on the ordination of women as deacons and priests.

Corporate Minutes, RFD Board of Directors, 1966-1985
Administrative Correspondence, 1934-1985
Financial Records, 1927-1984
Topical Files, 1940-1977

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The Archives is able to respond to limited requests for reproductions subject to copyright restrictions, internal policy, and the condition of the source documents.

• English

Records of the National Center for the Diaconate

• National Graduate Training Center (Windham House). Records
• Episcopal Women’s History Project. Records
• National Conference of Deaconesses. Records

• Women in ministry
• Deaconesses
• Pension benefits
• Women's ordination

• Jackson, Margaret McLaughlin (Subject)
• Zielinski, Frances (Subject)
• Mancini, Jean (Subject)