Dozier, Verna J.

(1917-2006). Leading African American female lay theologian. She was born in Washington, D.C. Dozier received her B.A. and M.A. from Howard University. She taught English in the Washington public schools for more than thirty years, and from 1968 until 1972, was the curriculum specialist for the Urban Teachers Corps. From 1972 until 1975, when she retired, she was the assistant director of the English Department of the Washington public schools. She was a member of the vestry and senior warden of St. Mark’s Church, Washington, 1970-1972. Dozier was an adjunct instructor in NT at the Virginia Theological Seminary and adjunct staff for the College of Preachers. She served on the Board of Examining Chaplains and the Board of the Alban Institute. Dozier was chairperson of the Commission on Ministry and a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Washington. She was a freelance consultant in Bible study and the ministry of the laity. She was a popular retreat leader and made presentations in every state in the United States. Among her books are Equipping the Saints: A Method of Self-Directed Bible Study for Lay Groups (1981); with Celia A. Hahn, The Authority of the Laity (1982); The Calling of the Laity: Verna Dozier’s Anthology (1988); and The Dream of God: A Call to Return (1991).