By: Jim Pyatt, WNCC Archivist & Historian

Daphine Strickland

Daphine Strickland was part of the Task Force that led to the organization of Triad Native American Church, the first Native American congregation in our Conference outside of Cherokee. She is a Charter Member of that congregation, where she teaches a Young Adult class and is a Lay Speaker. She has served as a 10-10-10 Missioner for the General Board if Global Ministries 2001-03.

Daphine has served as an Associate District Lay Leader of the Greensboro District 2004-07. At the Conference level she has served on the Committee on Native American Ministries 1996-2004 and 2009-16 (Chair 2000-04 and Secretary 2009-12), the Conference Ministries Advisory Council 2000-04 and 2008-09, Committee on Episcopacy 2004-12, Committee on Nominations 2004-12, Justice and Reconciliation Team 2016-20. Daphine was a Lay Delegate to Jurisdictional Conference in 2004 and 2008, and a reserve delegate in 2012. She served on the SEJ Commission on Archives and History 2000-08. She has also served as Chair of the Southeastern Regional Native American Caucus and is very active in SEJANAM (Southeastern Jurisdictional Association for Native American Ministries).

To quote her biographical sketch, “A graduate of Guilford College, Strickland possesses a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and Justice and Policy, with a concentration in African-American studies. She is a Public Speaker and Storyteller; she speaks about Native Americans and their culture through lectures and storytelling. In addition to Native American stories and legends, she also tells stories of African-American history.” She is of the Lumbee/Tuscarora tribe.

Daphine Strickland states that her goal is “to empower people to speak for themselves and to help each other. She believes we must work to educate all people about the environment—how people, animals, and the earth all need each other to survive.”

Be sure to read the other biographies written by WNCC Archivist & Historian Jim Pyatt:

Thomas Queen, the Director of the Cherokee Mission from 1973 until his death in 1992.

Jeremiah Wolfe, the first Native American to be elected a delegate to General Conference from the WNCC in 1976.

Rev. David Ortigoza, the Director of Hispanic and Latino Ministries for the SEJ in 2003.

Rev. Diana Wingeier-Rayo, the first Hispanic/Latina woman to be received into full clergy membership in the WNC Conference.

Raul Adriano, the first known person of Hispanic/Latino heritage to be elected by The WNCC to serve as a Lay Delegate to General Conference.

Rev. Carlos Alberto Rodriguez, a key figure at the Board of Missions Office of The WNCC in 1961.

Rev. Dr. Abraham Kim, the first Asian-American to be elected as a clergy delegate to Jurisdictional Conference from the WNC Conference.

Rev. Karen Miyoshi Kagiyama, the first Asian-American women to be ordained an Elder in the WNCC.

In Muk Kim, the first Asian-American to be elected as a delegate (clergy or lay) to Jurisdictional Conference from the WNC Conference.

Rev. M. B. Lee McCrary, the first woman to become a full clergy member of the Western North Carolina Conference. 

Rev. Dolores Barus Queen, the first woman to serve as District Superintendent in the Western NC Conference.

Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer, the first (and to date, the only) woman to serve as Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference.

Mrs. Jettie Morrison, a key figure in the Women's Society of Christian Service and the integration of The United Methodist Church in 1968.

Bishop L. Scott Allen (May 4, 1918-September 18, 2004), the first (and to date, the only) African-American to serve as Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference.

Mrs. Effie Miller (September 17, 1930-September 1, 2008), a leader in the Western North Carolina Conference and the United Methodist Church, especially with regard to the United Methodist Women.

The Rev. Dr. J. C. Peters (July 10, 1925- July 2, 1998), the first African-American to serve as a District Superintendent in the Western North Carolina Conference.

Mr. Clarence Winchester,  a leader in the North Carolina Conference (Central Jurisdiction) and in the WNC Conference.

Dr. Isaac Miller (September 26, 1920-November 1, 2008), a leader in Higher Education and in the United Methodist Church.