The idea to establish a Women’s Convention was birthed during the Women’s Leadership Day at 1950 Holy Convocation. Mother Lillian Brooks Coffey, who served as the Second General Supervisor of the Women’s Department from 1945 to 1964, presented the idea to Bishop Mason who drew up and signed an agreement authorizing his support.
Mother Coffey began organizing steering committees to carry out specific tasks in anticipation of the Convention. Mother Coffey wanted a group whose sole responsibility was to serve and entertain special guests on a local and national level. As a result, Mother Coffey selects a team of three women to seek a place to hold a gathering during the 1951 Women’s Convention. The team consisted of the Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women, Mother Mattie McGlothen of Northern California, Evangelist Lou Ella White of Southern California, and Missionary Mattie Wigley of Tennessee.
The convention opened on April 24, 1951, in Los Angeles, CA. The keynote address was given by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. These three gifted women found a location, cleaned it up, beautifully decorated it and prepared a wonderful dinner. The success of this event prompted Mother Coffey to appoint Mother Mattie McGlothen as the first National Hospitality President. It was fitting that Mother McGlothen be selected as she was known for her warm hospitable spirit. During World War II, many saints who traveled through Northern California stayed in her home. Other travelers heading further north also received hospitable and loving care in her home during a brief time of respite during their journey.
