Oral History: Freda Smith
The Rev. Elder Freda Smith is the former Vice-Moderator of the Universal
Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches; a political activist in
California; and an advocate for women's and minority concerns. She is widely
known for her tireless advocacy and concern for GLBTI and minority rights. She
has been recognized by the Sacramento History Museum as ""Woman of Courage,"" and
was named ""Woman of the Year"" by the California State Legislature in 1996. Smith
entered the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches in 1971. She
first met the Reverend Elder Troy Perry on the steps of the Capitol of the State
of California where they were both speakers for a rally to pass the ""Consenting
Adults Law,"" to decriminalize gay relationships in California. During a lobbying
effort for the passage of the bill, Freda read her narrative poem, ""Dear
Dora/Dangerous Derek Diesel Dyke,"" to a select group of legislators which
included Lt. Governor Merv Dymally. Dymally was visibly moved by the poem and
stated that the poem had ""opened his eyes."" Later, Dymally historically broke
the tie that had deadlocked the California Senate to pass California's
Consenting Adults Law.
Freda was an early champion of women's concerns and was instrumental in
spearheading the revision of UFMCC Bylaws to include women at every level of
ministry. She was the first woman ordained to the UFMCC ministry and was first
elected to the Board of Elders in 1973. She was re-elected as elder for five
more terms during which time she served as World Church Extension Elder, liaison
to Europe, Canada, Australia, and U.S. Districts, and as Vice-Moderator of the
UFMCC. She appeared nationally on the Tomorrow Show in the U.S., on Canada AM,
and on local broadcasts where she frequently debated right-wing religious
political advocates.
(This biographical statement provided by
Freda Smith.)