Archbishop Mary Floyd Palmer: Philly's First Female Archbishop | Freedom Journeys

Archbishop Mary Floyd Palmer is a historic pioneer in the global and local religious landscape. As the first female archbishop of any denomination in Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania—and only the third African American metropolitan archbishop in the world—her ministry is a masterclass in faith, resilience, and barrier-breaking leadership. In this episode of Freedom Journeys, Archbishop Palmer shares her journey from a 12-year-old assistant minister of music at South Philly's historic Union Baptist Church to her historic consecration as Bishop in 2009 under the guidance of her father, the illustrious Rev. Dr. Melvin Floyd. Holding multiple doctoral degrees, she eventually took the mantle from her uncle to become the presiding bishop and president of the Philadelphia Council of Clergy, Inc. Beyond the pulpit, she connects directly with the community through "The Bishop Mary Show," bringing real, raw, and relevant conversations to light. Reflecting on six decades of change, her message to the world is simple yet powerful: no matter what you face, you must always stand and rise. Freedom Journeys celebrates the lives of 250 phenomenal changemakers whose stories shape our shared history. Learn more, listen, and support the project at wurdradio.com/freedomjourneys