HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL NURSES UNIT
In 1950, the National Nurses Unit was organized by Mother Regina Lawrence under the direction of Mother Lillian Brooks-Coffey, the General Supervisor of the Women’s Department of the Church of God in Christ. Mother Lawrence was one of the first black Registered Nurses in Florida. Mother Lawrence provided nursing services for the NationalConvocation and the Women’s Convention at its inception. Mother Lawrence was the sister of Jurisdictional Supervisor, Mother Gussie Gamble of Eastern Florida. She provided services during their Jurisdictional settings. At National meetings, Mother Lawrence was assisted by: Sister Lenora Robinson of Southern California First Jurisdiction, Sister Jean Brooks, Sister Queen Martin and others. During the National Convocations, Mother Lawrence lived and worked in the infirmary in Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee. She served the Saints of the most High God in this capacity for many years.
During the Women’s Convention in Miami, Florida in 1976, Jurisdictional Supervisor, Mother Gussie Gamble appointed Dr. Patricia Seabrooks, Jurisdictional Nurses Unit President for Eastern Florida. Dr. Seabrooks worked closely with her mentor, Mother Lawrence, whose health was failing. While assisting Mother Lawrence at the 1976 National Holy Convocation, Dr. Seabrooks found a large group of nurses who sold souvenir books and dispensed water and juice. She recruited these nurses for the unit. Mother Lawrence, who owned a small nursing home, brought medicine to the unit for the congregants use. When Mother Lawrence was too ill to attend the 1977 National Women’s Convention in Houston, Dr. Seabrooks was assigned to supervise the National Nurses’ Unit in Mother Lawrence’s absence. After Mother Lawrence’s homegoing, Mother Mattie McGlothen, General Supervisor appointed Dr. Patricia Seabrooks National Nurses’ Unit President at the 1977 National Holy Convocation.
Dr. Seabrooks worked untiringly as the National Nurses Unit President. Under her leadership, the national, jurisdictional, district and local Nurses’ Units flourished. The Nurses Unit’s Handbook was published and was available in our bookstore. Annual tours of the National Women’s Convention host cities were available for members and guests which raised funds for nursing scholarships. There is also an Annual Scholarship Banquet held during the National Holy Convocation. At the banquet, awards are given to nurses: The Lenora Robinson Scholarship Award for Nursing Student Education, The Gussie Gamble Award for Outstanding Committed service, The Regina Lawrence Workers Award for selling the most banquet tickets and having the most people attend the scholarship banquet. She also established a program to recognize Nursing Units as chapters at the jurisdictional level. She appointed three National Health Educators. Dr. Seabrooks served as President for 22 years. In 1999, she resigned her position to assist her husband in a new ministry. She left the unit with a vision to move to a new level. We are now the International Nurses’ Unit.
Evangelist Anita Farrish was appointed President of the International Nurses Unit in 2000 at the National Women’s Convention by Mother Willie Mae Rivers, General Supervisor. Under her leadership, the Unit moved to a new level. The Unit published health calendars for the members, a National Nurses Unit and Health Professionals Directory, updated the Nurses’ Unit Handbook and established an award for Nurse of the Year. Evangelist Farrish established three positions: First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, and Third Vice-President to assist her in the work. In 2010, Evangelist Farrish stepped down to spend more time with her family, She recommended Evangelist Sharon Woodfox-Ryan as her successor.
Evangelist Sharon Woodfox-Ryan was one of three National Health Educators, the Recording Secretary and was appointed First Vice President and the unit’s chief financial officer by Evangelist Farrish. She designed the Nurses Unit forms, published health calendars, two unit directories, and the fifth through the eighth revised manuals. She developed training and other educational material for the unit. She added the Executive and Advisory boards which included the positions of Medical Advisor (s) and Nurses Unit Advisors. Evangelist Sharon Woodfox-Ryan was appointed President of the International Nurses Unit on November 4, 2011 at the 103th Holy Convocation by Mother Willie Mae Rivers, General Supervisor. The International Nurses Unit is reaching Higher Heights and Deeper Depths. Saints, we wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 2).