Pauli Murray 101

We’re proud that our own saint will soon grace a U.S. quarter in 2024 (see Episcopal News Service). For an introduction to her life and work, we suggest these resources.

Murray’s Own Words
  • Murray, Pauli. Proud Shoes: The Story of an American Family. New York: Harper & Row, 1978.
  • Murray, Pauli. Song in a Weary Throat: An American Pilgrimage. 1st ed. New York: Harper & Row, 1987.
  • Papers of Pauli Murray, 1827-1985 housed at the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University.
    • Included in this collection are “correspondence; clippings, pamphlets, and other published materials collected by Murray; photographs; drafts of Murray’s speeches, sermons, and writings; financial records; and materials about Murray’s ancestors. The collection is rich in documenting most aspects of Murray’s paid and unpaid work, travels, and active interests, although her personal life is less well documented.” —The Library
    • Of note are 120 audiocassettes covering interviews with Murray about her life story and her thoughts on such topics such her vocations, writings, and decision to become a priest, and on social justice, the law, protest, and women priests in the Episcopal Church. Included also are selected sermons and poetry readings. See Audio Resources for our annotated selection with links to their digitized files.
About Murray
  • Azaransky, Sarah. The Dream Is Freedom: Pauli Murray and American Democratic Faith. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
  • Casey, Brenna M.  A Prophet without Eyes: Pauli Murray’s Moment.  Scalawag Mazagine, April 30, 2021.
  • Pauli Murray: Biographical Timeline, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.
Video Resources
  • A Saint for All Saints, a transcript of our 2020 conference comprises:
    • Introduction, The Most Rev. Michael Curry: 0:08-8:12 
    • Welcome, The Rev. Pamela L. Werntz:  8:13-15:32
    • Moderator, The Rev. Dr. Yolanda Rolle:  15:35-21:32
    • Presentations
      • The Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge: 21:36-31:46
      • Dean Melissa Wood Bartholomew: 32:19-42:38
      • The Very Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas:  44:38-58:03
    • Poetry by Pauli Murray read by honored guests
      • “Ruth”, Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, PhD:  31:24-32:19
      • “Song of Deliverance”, The Rev. Canon Nan Peete: 42:38-44:37
      • “Prophecy”, The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris 58:07-1:00:06
    • Panel of presenters: 1:07:00-1:23:00
    • Farewell, The Rev. Pam Werntz: 1:24:05-1:24:56
  • Rediscovering Pauli Murray: A Schlesinger Library Event, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University, comprises

Brett Cook, portrait of youthful Pauli Murray, installed at Lakewood Elementary School, 2520 Vesson Ave., Durham, NC