Women’s History Month Feature – Dr. Gloria White Flowers
March is Women’s History Month, a celebration of the vital role women play in American History. We all feel the contributions women make to our Scouting program. As generous donors, trained leaders, volunteers, and mothers, they have helped to shape the Boy Scouts of America and further enrich the lives of the youth we serve. On behalf of the Heart of Virginia Council as a whole, we thank each incredible woman in our Scouting family for the impact they make every day.
This week, we are excited to celebrate the accomplishments and generosity of Reverend Dr. Gloria White Flowers.
Reverend Dr. Gloria White Flowers started her Scouting career in 1977, working as a Scout leader in Pack 491 at Providence Park Baptist Church. Dr. Flowers was a den leader, a Scouting Coordinator, and later served in other capacities when it was necessary. Her tenure with Pack 491 has extended over four decades. Additionally, since 1989, she co-coordinated the nationally-renown Learning for Life In-School Scouting program sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America. She was also a Scout leader in the Boy Scouts of America Urban Emphasis and Scoutreach programs. For her involvement and service to the Boy Scouts of America, she has received numerous awards and honors, including the Award of Merit from the Capitol District, the Whitney Young Award, and the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America for distinguished service in 1990.
Dr. Flowers received her license to Gospel Ministry from Providence Park Baptist Church in 1994 and received her Ordination in July 1995. She is a licensed and ordained minister. Furthermore, she has displayed her transformational leadership skills in several capacities for many years at Providence Park Baptist Church, including but not limited to, serving as a co-leader of the Board of Christian Education, Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School Superintendent, and Deaconess.
In her professional career, Dr. Flowers is also very accomplished. She is the Staff Chaplain at Sheltering Arms Institute. She received the Doctor of Ministry degree from the Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, DC. Before earning her doctoral degree, Dr. Flowers received a bachelor’s degree in Justice and Risk Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University. Additionally, she received a master’s degree in Christian education from the Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and a master’s degree in divinity from the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond.
Dr. Flowers is currently the President of the International Order of the King’s Daughters and Sons-Sheltering Arms Circle, a member of Virginia Commonwealth University’s African American Alumni Association, and the Virginia Commonwealth University Alumni Association. Dr. Flowers is the current Historian and former President of the National Council of Negro Women-Richmond Section, a member of the Parliamentary Law Club of Richmond, and a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians.
Dr. Flowers has authored many sermons, lectures, and educational workshops in Christian education, youth leadership, pastoral care, volunteering, and religious studies. Moreover, she has presented her scholarship at various professional conferences and meetings.
Dr. Gloria White Flowers is the wife of Mr. Alvin A. Flowers, Jr., and she has four sons (Dr. Paul D. Flowers, Mr. Charles L. Flowers, Dr. Lawrence O. Flowers, and Dr. Lamont A. Flowers). Dr. Paul D. Flowers is the Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, Virginia, the Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Virginia Union University, and an Assistant Professor in the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. Mr. Charles L. Flowers is the Chief Executive Officer of the Occoneechee Council with the Boy Scouts of America in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Lawrence O. Flowers is an Associate Professor of Biology at Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Lamont A. Flowers is the Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership and the Executive Director of the Charles H. Houston Center for the Study of the Black Experience in Education at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina.