The National Hospitality Department is an auxiliary established by Mother Lillian Brooks Coffey, who also served as our Second General Supervisor of the Women’s Department from 1945 – 1964. The function of this auxiliary began in earnest in 1951 when the first national Women’s Department Convention was organized.
During the 1956 International Holy Convocation, Mary McLeod Bethune was scheduled to be the Women’s Day speaker. In preparation, Mother Coffey wanted to entertain this profound educator and civil rights leader, but the women’s department workers homes were not large enough for a robust crowd. As a result, Mother Coffey selected a team of three women to seek a place to hold the gathering. Northern California Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women, Mother Mattie McGlothen, Evangelist Lou Ella White of Southern California, and Missionary Mattie Wigley of Tennessee. These three women were given the responsibility of coordinating a venue large enough to host a reception.
It was fitting that Mother McGlothen was selected for this team of three women. She was known for her warm and hospitable spirit. During World War II (1939 – 1945), many saints traveling through Northern California and beyond towards Oregon and Washington State stayed in her home. The saints received loving care, enjoying respite on their journey.