WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH—CELEBRATING JOYCE RICHARDSON
March marks the month celebrating International Women’s History Month, “an annual observance highlighting the global accomplishments to events in history, culture, and contemporary society.”
By Darlene L. Williams | Contributing Writer
(BAKERSFIELD, CA.) — March marks the month celebrating International Women’s History Month, “an annual observance highlighting the global accomplishments to events in history, culture, and contemporary society.”
Women have long been instrumental in promoting awareness, and demanding change in various discriminatory practices against women with protest such as: the March 8, 1857 protest against New York City factories and the ill working conditions for women; women marched to demand shorter working hours, better pay, end child labor, and the right to vote; the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s, and countless other courageous acts of women to this present day.
And while women are being celebrated all over the world, there are local pillars in our households, communities, and churches who are just as instrumental to women’s history as those who are more prominently known.
One such woman is Mrs. Joyce Richardson (aka Mother Richardson). Mother Richardson submitted to the Bakersfield News Observer some of her fondest recollections of being a lover of God and people, and a wife and mother.
Joyce is the daughter of the late Kelsey James and Ceola Riggs Hendrix. Richardson’s parents were farm laborers, and so, much of her youth was spent working alongside her parents in the fields.
Richardson stated, “I picked plums, peaches, weeded lettuce and carrots, chopped cotton, picked cotton, pulled cotton, cut onions, weeded alfalfa, and chopped sugar beets”.
Mother Richardson recalled being introduced to Christ and holiness as a 10-year-old on Banducci Ranch by “late greats” Pastor Ruben Meeks, Pastor T.W. Russaw and Bishop E.V. McGee.
“I was never the same after that service,” she said, I knew that I had a call from God on my life.”
The family soon joined the St. Paul Church of God in Christ where young Joyce was shaped and mentored by Pastor Henry and Mother Magee Haymon. She was very active in the youth, choir, and hospitality ministries.
Joyce attended Lakeside Elementary School, Greenfield Junior High and graduated as most outstanding girl in the graduating class. She was active in basketball, baseball, volleyball, archery, track and field.
Richardson also attended Bakersfield High School (“Once a Driller, always a Driller”) where she was class representative, active in Leaders Club, choir, archery, hockey and golf. Joyce later attended Bakersfield College focusing on Nursing. Her education in nursing would soon be interrupted to help care for her parents and siblings.
Joyce recalled working full-time at Memorial Hospital while attending school. “It was very taxing,” she stated.
In 1958 Joyce married Willie Byrd Jr. and became the mother to three “beautiful and caring children.”
“Always a working mom, but not too busy for her children or their goals,” Richardson served as PTA President for McKinley Elementary School, Emerson Jr. High, BHS (PTA member) and room mother. She also served and participated in, Cub Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America, Blue Birds, and Campfire Girls of America.
In 1973, Joyce met, “the love of my life”, Elder Curtis Richardson. “This was a blessing from God. I waited on Him to bless me and my children with a real man, husband, and father.” On June 29, 1974, the two were married and became a blended family. They have six children, sixteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Pastor Curtis Richardson began pastoring The Open Door Church of God in Christ Church and together with his wife, Joyce, they continued pastoring there for 42 years. Mother Richardson was an influential leader in the Sunday School, Women’s and Youth departments.
” The congregation loved me, and I loved them. We had the best of the best membership, not a large congregation, but loyal, respectful and generous. However, the young people stole my heart,” she added.
Richardson’s servant’s heart and love for the church is extensive. She has worked with the Church of God in Christ (COGIC}California Valley Jurisdiction since its inception, served under the leadership of several bishops, was supervisor of the Department of Women, and secretary and president of the Young Women’s Christian Council. During her tenure, Richardson received several awards and letters of recognition.
Both Mother Richardson and husband, Pastor Richardson have retired but continue to serve in various capacities within the church they now attend, Holy Temple COGIC under the leadership of Bishop C. (Diana) Bynum.
Mother Richardson is presently President of the Sunshine Band,” and loving every minute of it.”
