Amanda Smith

Amanda Smith

Amanda Berry Smith (January 23, 1837 – February 24, 1915) was a former slave who became an inspiration to thousands of women both black and white while traveling and preaching as a devout Chrisitan during her lifetime.

Childhood

Amanda Smith was born in Long Green, Maryland, a small town in Baltimore County. Her father's name was Samuel Berry while her mother's name was Mariam. Her father, a slave, was owned by Darby Insor. Upon his death, Berry's master became Mr. E. Amanda's mother was owned by Shadrach Green.Despite having kind masters, Amanda's parents longed for freedom. Her father worked for years at night and after long days of field labour, he had to make brooms and husk mats to pay for freedom for his whole family of seven. Amanda taught herself how to read by cutting out large letters from newspapers and asking her mother to make them into words. When she was thirteen, only having three and a half months of formal schooling, Amanda went to work near York, Pennsylvania, as the servant of a widow with five children. While there, she attended a revival service at the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Later life

She worked hard as a cook and a washerwoman to provide for herself and her daughter after her husband was killed in the American Civil War. Prayer became a way of life for her as she trusted God for shoes, the money to buy her sisters freedom and food for her family. She became well known for her beautiful voice and hence, opportunities to evangelize in the South and West opened up for her. Wherever she travelled, she wore a plain poke bonnet and a brown or black Quaker wrapper, and she carried her own carpetbag suitcase. Amanda married a pastor named James Smith in 1863 and the couple eventually relocated to New York City. By 1869 her children and husband had passed away, but Amanda continued to spread the Christian message. In 1870 Smith was praised for her ability to inspire a group of whites to whom she was preaching during a camp meeting. This event would pave the way for Smith's journeys across the globe to spread the message of her faith.

In 1876, she was invited to speak and sing in England travelling on a first class cabin provided by her friends. The captain invited her to conduct a religious service on board and she was so modest that the other passengers spread word of her. This resulted in her stay in England and Scotland for a year and a half. After her trip, she returned to her homeland and eventually founded the Amanda Smith Orphans' Home for African-American children in a suburb of Chicago. She continued to visit various nations and gained a reputation as "God's image carved in ebony."

Her autobiography was published in 1893. She combined the proceeds she received from its sale with her personal finances in order to create the aforementioned orphanage, which was opened in 1999.

Amanda Smith retired to Sebring, Florida in 1912. Her orphanage was taken over by the state and named the Amanda Smith Industrial School for Girls. It was completely destroyed by fire in 1918 and was not reopened.

Legacy

Amanda Smith was lauded for her modest lifestyle and unwavering faith to her religion. She was highly respected and admired by fellow evangelists and would spend many years of her life traveling abroad to spread the Christian message in places such as England, India, and Africa. Smith was a powerful speaker and singer, thus her race and sex were overlooked as she spread the gospel. Because she was able to appeal to whites, Smith helped to dispel the myth of black racial inferiority and to provide for a more egalitarian Christian religion. Smith held complete faith in God and her religion until her death.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Bartlett, David C., and Larry A. McClellan. "The Final Ministry of Amanda Berry Smith: An Orphanage in Harvey, Illinois, 1895-1918." Illinois Heritage 1, no. 2 (Winter 1998): 20-25. The Final Ministry of Amanda Berry Smith Retrieved May 18, 2007.
• Deen, Edith. Great Women of the Christian Faith. New York: Harper, 1959.
• Hine, Darlene Clark, ed. Black Women in America. Brooklyn, New York: Carlson, 1993.
• Smith, Amanda. An Autobiography: The Story of the Lord's Dealings with Mrs. Amanda Smith

the Colored Evangelist; Containing an Account of Her Life Work of Faith, and Her Travels in America, England, Ireland, Scotland, India, and Africa, as an Independent Missionary. Chicago: Meyer & Brother, Pubslishers, 1893. An Autobiography Retrieved May 18, 2007.

External links

• Amanda Smith biography on the UNC website Retrieved November 6, 2007.
• autobiography: NYPL online text Retrieved November 6, 2007.

Credits

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