Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot was married to the Late Bishop Frederick Hilborn Talbot, 90th elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. A native of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, she was educated at the following institutions: Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Bacher of Science in Biology summa cum laude, 1955; Yale University, Master of Science in Public Health, 1957; Teachers College, Columbia University, a Doctorate in Health Education, 1969. She was the first spouse of an AME Bishop with an earned doctorate.
Dr. Talbot led regional, national, and international religious organizations, including the Continuation Committee, the Caribbean Conference of Churches, and the Christian Medical Commission of the World Council of Churches. First African American woman elected as Vice Moderator of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches and the first African Methodist elected as the National President of Church Women United/USA.
She had a rich and varied work experience in community health in the United States and Guyana. Dr. Talbot was appointed Minister of Health in Guyana, heading a government department responsible for the country's hospitals, pharmacies, and public health service and becoming the chief spokesperson and advocate for public health in Parliament. Later, she was appointed a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly from Guyana. For seven years, she worked with her husband in his diplomatic career, accompanying him on his tours as Permanent Representative to the United Nations and later Ambassador to the United States and Canada, then to several nations in the Caribbean.
Other experiences include World Bank Consultant in School Health to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Organizer/executive director of a non-profit interfaith disaster relief organization in St. Croix, Virgin Islands; Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees, University of the Virgin Islands; Advocate for abused women in St. Croix; Board Member, Girl Scout Council of Cumberland Valley, Tennessee. Her service to the AME Church spanned all levels, including organist, Sunday School Teacher, Conference Branch President of the Women's Missionary Society, and Episcopal District Director of the Young People's Division. Later, as the spouse of a Bishop, she undertook responsibility for supervising Women's, Youth, and Children's work in the districts to which the spouse was assigned. Over 32 years, served in the 16th District (the Caribbean, South America, Europe); 6th (Georgia); 12th (Arkansas and Oklahoma), and 13th (Kentucky and Tennessee).
She inspired and guided women and young people to address health, education, poverty, and sexism issues. During her presidency of Church Women United, she succeeded in having them adopt poverty as a five-year imperative for the program. She worked continuously in leadership development. She was recognized for innovative programming.
Dr. Tablot traveled to many countries in North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean. In addition, she authored several books, including her autobiography, "Finding My Voice."
Awards and citations include:
"Essence Woman" ESSENCE Magazine, 1972
"Legend of Our Times" ESSENCE Magazine, 1990
Listed in "Profiles of Outstanding Virgin Islanders"
"Churchwoman of the Year" Religious Heritage of America, 1989.
"International Citizen of the Year" Alpha Kappa Alpha, 1990.
Listed among "25 Most Prominent Men and Women in the Virgin Islands"
Dr. Talbot died on May 15, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. Arrangements are forthcoming. Please pray for the family.
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment