Right Rev. Vashti McKenzie, a former journalist and broadcaster, is the first female bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s 200-year history. McKenzie’s election in 2000 to serve the 18th Episcopal District of the AME Church, which includes the four sub-Saharan African countries Lesotho, Botswana, Mozambique and Swaziland, was hailed as a symbol of hope and change for the oldest and one of the largest historically black denominations. In 2005, McKenzie made history again when she became the first woman president of the denomination’s Council of Bishops. She’s the author of the books Not Without a Struggle, Strength in the Struggle, Leadership Development for Women, A Journey to the Well and Swapping Housewives: Rachel and Jacob and Leah.
