At the recent Tennessee Cooperative Baptists’ meeting, the 2017 Betty Galloway Award for Advocacy for Women in Ministry was awarded to Belmont Professor of Religion Dr. Judy Skeen and Associate Professor of Religion Dr. Andy Watts. The Betty Galloway Advocacy for Women in Ministry Award was established in May 2000 to recognize individuals, churches or organizations that excel in promoting and advocating for women in places of ministry.
Betty Galloway was the first Southern Baptist female deacon ordained in the State of Tennessee. From 1947 to 1951 Betty and her husband served as missionaries to China and Thailand. Later, both served First Baptist Church in Russellville, KY and First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, TN.