This article appears on Presbyterian Outlook with the permission of the Presbyterian News Service. The Outlook has a paywall to help fund our independent journalism. If our paywall prevents you from reading the full story, you can read it freely at pcusa.org/news.
“I believe that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can be all the more what it has always been at its best: an agent of God’s grace that embodies Christ’s love in a world desperate for hope,” the Rev. Adele Langworthy said when asked about her hope for the future of the PC(USA). During the 227th General Assembly in Milwaukee, Langworthy will be honored along with two others at the Women of Faith Awards gathering. She believes women’s leadership is integral to the hopeful future of the PC(USA). “Women can be a voice of support and advocacy for the voiceless, warm and caring friends for the friendless, and arms of compassionate kindness for the hurting. We can, by these things, show people the face of the Christ, who can overcome all oppression, cruel indifference and despair.”
The 2026 Women of Faith Awards Breakfast will be held June 30 during the 227th General Assembly in Milwaukee. The event uplifts women whose ministries reflect deep Christian commitment through service, advocacy and leadership, offering the wider church an opportunity to celebrate faithful witness in action.
Those planning to attend are reminded that the deadline to register for the Women of Faith Breakfast is June 5 through the General Assembly registration process.
Established in 1986, the Women of Faith Awards recognize women whose lives demonstrate ongoing dedication to justice, inclusion and compassion. The awards specifically highlight those who advocate alongside people pushed to the margins, empowering others and helping to bring about both systemic and spiritual transformation in the church and broader community. These women often lead quietly but effectively, modeling courage, integrity and hope while strengthening ministries across contexts.
The Rev. Natarsha Sanders, associate for Intercultural Leadership Development for Presbyterian Life & Witness, underscored the significance of the awards in a January 2026 preview article. “Nominating women for this award matters because their stories of faithful advocacy and leadership can offer light for our paths,” Sanders said. “This sort of consistent leadership can go unnoticed amid polarizing issues, but these types of women remain faithful and focused on their call. When we honor women who advocate, uplift and transform their communities, we affirm the sacred work they do every day.”
This year’s nominees bring a rich diversity of experience and calling, each embodying the spirit of the award through lives of service and impact.
Langworthy, nominated by the Rev. Werner Ramirez, will be recognized for her collaborative and community-centered approach to ministry. For more than three decades, Langworthy has, with her husband, Rob, pastored Covenant Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, California. While working in every aspect of the church’s life and mission, leading the Cooperative Protestant Campus Ministry at Long Beach State University, and serving the PC(USA) at different governing levels and in a variety of capacities, the majority of her time is spent heading Covenant’s free after-school program, Rising TIDE, which seeks to uplift the lives of urban children and youth.
Known for her philosophy that shared success strengthens everyone, Langworthy has consistently worked to build partnerships that uplift individuals and communities alike. Her leadership emphasizes inclusion, mutual support and practical action, reflecting a deep commitment to creating spaces where all can thrive.
Ruling Elder Selma Jackson, nominated by Zayn Silva, has demonstrated a lifetime of faithful service across both professional and ecclesial settings. With a career spanning banking, education, nonprofit leadership and entrepreneurship, Jackson has continually invested in community well-being. She is especially proud of her work as a “Street Banker,” connecting underserved groups with financial resources and opportunity. Within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), she has held numerous leadership roles, including service on the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, where she helped rejuvenate local efforts in New York City. She has also served on the Commission of Ministry, as Clerk of Session, as a commissioner to the 218th General Assembly (2008) and as moderator of the Presbytery of New York City in 2024. Her ministry is grounded in a deep faith heritage and a commitment to empowering others.
The Rev. Blanca Estrella Otaño-Rivera, nominated by the Rev. Carmen Rosario, will be honored for her enduring contributions to pastoral leadership, advocacy and the preservation of Latino/a voices within the church’s history. A respected leader and scholar, Otaño-Rivera has worked to ensure that the stories and experiences of marginalized communities are recognized and valued. Her ministry bridges faith, culture and justice, strengthening the church’s understanding of its diverse body and its shared mission.
Together, these nominees reflect the heart of the Women of Faith Awards — leadership rooted in faith, expressed through action and sustained by a commitment to justice and community. The 2026 breakfast will offer a meaningful moment to celebrate their witness and be inspired by their example.
