“Dorothy Herrin’s life was a model of faithful giving. Having been on the receiving end of that faithfulness, Central Seminary recently nominated her for the Missouri Baptist Foundation’s Academy of Estate Stewardship award. Not surprisingly, she did receive the award. We are grateful for the years of service Dorothy gave to our governance, for funding an ongoing scholarship for Central students, and for her final legacy gift. We are blessed to have known her and to have called her friend.” Molly T. Marshall, President of Central Seminary, advised.

 

Ms. Herrin graduated from Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas, with a B.A. in mathematics and taught at the high school in Vesper, Kansas, from 1939-41. 

 

From her teaching contract, Lincoln County, Kansas: “It is also agreed that said teacher will pursue the professional course of study prescribed by the State Reading Circle Board, will attend county teachers’ associations, and shall receive one dollar as compensation for each county and state teachers’ association attended: Provided, That the District Clerk shall not draw an order of payment of compensation for such attendance at teachers’ associations unless he shall have received written notice from the county superintendent that said teacher is entitled to such pay.”

 

Ms. Herrin was employed most of her working life by Business Men’s Assurance Company of Kansas City, Missouri, and retired in 1979 as the Second Vice President-Pension Secretary. Other positions she held there include policyowners’ service, underwriter, actuarial department, chairperson of records committee, actuarial assistant, policy administration, assistant pension director, and pension secretary.

 

While at BMA, Dorothy was recognized by the Advertising and Sales Executives Club for completing an 8 ½ year course of Parliamentary Law and for her public speaking abilities. Jean Jay, agency secretary for Financial Reserve Life Assurance Company of America, advised Ms. Herrin, “I just want to say ‘thank you’

 

An edited version of “Faith Driven Life,” writtenby Dorothy Herrin, was printed in an issue of Centering, a magazine published by The Center of the Ministry of the Laity, in Newton Center, Mass. On November 3, 1989, The Voice, published by Central Baptist Theological Seminary, reprinted the article. Here are a few paragraphs from these publications:

 

Recently someone asked me if my Christian witness had an impact on the

corporation – a disturbing question. Never in my life have I set out to make a

Christian witness. I am convinced that a Christian must respond to life with

consistency, without being selective about the time or place of witnessing. My

impact on the corporation was as an individual – an individual whose response to

life is rooted in a love of Christ.

 

As one who never penetrated the board room, and who, as an elected officer,

attended executive committee meetings only as an observer or frequent presenter, my initial reaction was to say that my impact on the corporation was almost nil. But such is not the case. A corporation is more than top management. It is people – all personnel – and the product produced by the joint efforts of all. In this all-encompassing context, my presence did make a difference.

 

Much of my time was spent in training others, mostly young men. As I attempted to instill in them a sense of self-worth and trust in themselves, the firm, and its product, I also shared a part of myself, my values, and my priorities. My influence on these lives is evidenced in the fact that, almost without exception, they reached their potential. Many of them served the firm with integrity in managerial positions, one as president.

 

My corporate life began in the 1940s when male domination was an accepted practice. Still, it was devastating to learn that because I was a female, my advancement would be limited to supervisory status. I could teach the actuarial courses but could not enroll for the examinations to attain recognition for my knowledge of actuarial science.

 

Changing this chauvinistic attitude became a personal vendetta. It meant working harder, drawing on the depth of my faith to avoid bitterness, and being patient. My personal rewards were minimal, but my efforts did forge a slight change in attitude.

 

Ms. Herrin was active in several civic organizations, including:

·         Kansas City Actuaries Club

·         Speakers’ 13 Club, past president

·         Kansas City Council of Campfire Girls, corresponding secretary; member, board of directors

·         Ottawa Alumni of Greater Kansas City Area, past president

·         Counseling Institute, member, board of directors, executive committee

·         Zonta Club of Kansas City, Missouri, past president

 

In addition to serving as president of the Zonta Club, Dorothy served as the editor of the Zonta Clipper and chaired the Clipper Publication Committee. She also served as the area director for Zonta International and was part of the Zonta International Foundation Directors’ Circle. She was active in the club for 53 years. Her club valued her so much that they continued her membership so she would die a Zontian after 60 years of faithful service in advancing the status of women.

 

Margit Webjorn, International President of Zonta, recognized Dorothy “for dedicated

Zonta membership and for meritorious service in advancing the status of women.” She advised Dorothy, “Thank you for all you have done and all you have contributed to making our international organization what it is today.”

 

Another significant aspect of Ms. Herrin’s life was her involvement in religious organizations, including serving 25 years on the Board of Central Baptist Theological Seminary, of which she was Chairperson for 15. She was a charter member of Central’s President’s Circle. She was presented with an honorary doctor of divinity degree in 1990. She funded the Dr. Dorothy J. Herrin Scholarship for promise in ministry, which is awarded annually. 

 

Dr. Fred E. Young, Central’s former Dean and Professor of Old Testament, said, “Dorothy, you have been an inspiration to me in your dedicated, astute leadership of the Board. Your words to me on the day I was recognized for my many years at Central meant more to me than words can express. Your life spoke to me that day as it has often over the years.”

 

Other religious organizations of which she was a part included

·         Kansas City Region of the National Conference of Christians and Jews – member, board of directors

·         First Baptist Church of Kansas City, Missouri – executive committee, advisory board, chair of board of finance, moderator, trustee, diaconate

·         General Board and Executive Committee, American Baptist Churches, USA

·         Ministers and Missionaries Board of American Baptist Churches, USA – executive and personnel committees, benefit plans committee, budget review officer (4 terms, 1986-1993)

·         Board of Educational Ministries, ABC/USA

·         Midwest Commission of Ministry, ABC/USA

·         Green Lake America Baptist Assembly – board of directors

 

From ABC/USA these thoughts were shared of Dorothy:

 

“Dorothy Herrin, God has given you the gifts of financial acumen and institutional insight. You have used those gifts with integrity and faithfulness. Your astute questions and your careful stewardship have been a blessing in these difficult times. Your knowledge and corporate memory have served us well for many years.”

--General Board, ABC/USA

 

“Her actuarial and financial expertise contributed to significant improvement in the M & M benefits and services.”

--Dean Wright, Executive Director, Minister and Missionaries

Benefit Board of American Baptist Churches.

 

“Dorothy Herrin makes a wonderful contribution to our Board as well as her contribution to the wider work in American Baptist Churches. She is fun to be with.”

--Miriam R. Corbett, Director of Special Ministries, M & M Board,

New York

 

“I note that Dorothy Herrin is a member the M & M Board. WE have great memories of her as a youth while a member of the First Baptist Church, Winfield, KS, where I was pastor and also President of the Kansas Baptist Churches.”

                                    --Walter P. Halbert

 

“As thorough and meticulous as Dorothy was in ‘keeping the books,’ so also she lived out her faith with quiet diligence. She was rich toward God in good works and a faithful supporter of the mission and ministry of American Baptist Chruches.”

                                    --Roy Medley, American Baptist Churches General Secretary

 

“Dorothy Herrin was a person of integrity, business acumen, common sense, and faith. As Budget Review Officer, she steered the business side of denominational life with an eye to the purpose of our work: to honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was an honor to work alongside Dorothy.”

                                    --Cheryl Wade, former Associate General Secretary/Treasurer,

                                    American Baptist Churches

 

Other friends of Dorothy said this,

 

“Dorothy, as long as I can remember, you have been a central figure in my life and in my family. You have been a steady, reliable friend. You have been a stellar mentor as a Christian and as a successful female. You have attended parties, written letters, and known me better than most people. I treasure my memories of you.”

                                    --Javette G. Hayes, 1997 Graduation from William Jewell

 

“Felicitations! The Kansas City Rose Society has been requested to plant a rose in the Friendship Bed of the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in the Jacob L. Loose Memorial Park for Dorothy J. Herrin – Congratulations on your doctorate!!”

                                    --Kenneth and Sarajane Aber