Because Prathia Prayed, A Salute

I was watching The Black Church on PBS (Great documentary, Total Recommendation) one Sunday and I discovered a little-known figure in American history. This person is a woman, a black woman by the name of Prathia Hall-Wynn. You may not know her name but you know four of her words, I Have A Dream.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was visiting Terrell County, Georgia to speak at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, in 1963. The church had been burned down by the KKK. Prathia Hall-Winn, a college-age volunteer with SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) was invited to pray. Through her prayer, she shared her personal vision of what she wanted in Black America. In her prayer, she used the phrase, “I Have A Dream” many times. Dr. King loved Prathia’s prayer. He was very impressed with her use of the phrase, “I Have A Dream”. King would later incorporate “I Have A Dream” into some of his speeches. The phrase was reported to have been a usual part of King’s sermons. Most notably used in the 1963 civil rights marches by Dr. King; “Walk To Freedom” and “March on Washington”.

Prathia Hall-Winn grew up in Philadelphia. Her father was Reverend Berkeley Hall, an emotional supporter of racial justice. She finished her college studies at Temple University to join the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

After marrying Ralph Wynn, Prathia then earned a Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. After her father’s death, she accepted the call to pastor his church, Mount Sharon Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Hall-Winn became one of the first women ordained in the American Baptist Association. She was a visiting scholar at the Interdenominational Theological Center and later joined the faculty at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, eventually becoming dean of the seminary and director of The Harriet Miller Women's Center. Prathia Hall-Winn died on August 12, 2002, following a long illness.

Of Prathia Hall-Winn, Dr. King is quoted as saying the statement in the picture above. He admired her speech style.

Somebody prayed for me, had me on their mind,

They took the time and prayed for me.

I'm so glad they prayed

I'm so glad they prayed for me

Prathia Hall-Winn had to be the epitome of this song. Because I am so glad she went to the throne of grace with her vision. And I am glad her words inspired Dr. King's speeches. Decades later those prayers especially those four words, I Have a Dream are still hugging this nation, the USA.

I Salute You, Prathia Hall-Winn!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!