The Dream Lives On: Dorothy’s Word

by Jacob W. Elias

Publisher:

Resource Publications

, 2023

Dorothy Word, an African American woman dreaming of a hopeful future for her people, advocated for African American scientists, athletes, inventors, and others often not recognized for their contributions. She writes not as noted scholar, politician, or journalist, but as a layperson from the back row of public visibility. As a retired teacher in several elementary schools she continued to lobby for children and their families. She was an activist passionately pursuing the dream for equity and justice for all. Her voice needs to be heard, and Jacob offers a perceptive framework for an intercultural understanding of her message.
Dorothy first became acquainted with Jacob Elias and his wife Lillian in 2001 when they were pastors of her congregation, Parkview Mennonite Church, Kokomo, Indiana. Following her retirement Dorothy wrote newspaper columns for the Kokomo Tribune. Having served as her pastor for four years and ten years later exercising power of attorney for her as she receded into dementia, Jacob gathered forty-one of her articles into this volume.

Praise for The Dream Lives On

“This summary of Dorothy Word’s thoughts in writing is an accurate reflection of her beliefs. I became friends with Word through a mutual friend when we were high-school age, and our relationship was maintained through letter writing for sixty-five years. She always carried a sense of humor and could see beyond the present moment. This carries through in her writing, as evidenced by this book.”

—Grace Whitehead, retired pastor



“The Dream Lives On is an inspiring exegetical (and eisegetical) faith-narrative of Dorothy Word by Jacob Elias. Word is truly one among a historical litany of Black women who, even in their relative anonymity, were towering activists for Black freedom, courage, and celebratory joy. And while clearly understanding the risks and challenges of bringing forth a Black woman’s voice not his own, Elias strives with diligence to have Word speak for herself.”

—James Logan, professor and director of African and African American studies, Earlham College

Product Details

• Title: The Dream Lives On: Dorothy’s Word
• Author: Jacob W. Elias
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781666783698, 9781666783681, 1666783684, 9781666783674, 1666783676, 1666783692
• Resource ID: LLS:9781666783698
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-09-21T23:59:04Z

About Jacob W. Elias

Jacob W. Elias is the author of 1 & 2 Thessalonians in the Believers Church Bible Commentary series. He studied at the University of Saskatchewan and, later, at Mennonite Biblical Seminary, graduating in 1968. He began pastoral ministry at Mountainview Mennonite Church, Vancouver, and in 1978 earned a ThD in New Testament from the Toronto School of Theology. He has been teaching at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary since 1977. Since 2001, Jacob and his wife, Lillian, have worked as copastors of Parkview Mennonite Church in Kokomo, Indiana.