Hazel E. Foster papers

Biography/Profile

Hazel Elora Foster was born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 14, 1885 to Henry Eugene and Julia P. (Tanner) Foster. Foster was a student at Mather College, Western Res. University, 1904-1906, and attended Law School intermittently ending in 1923. She received a B.L. from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1909, and did postgraduate work at Mansfield College, 1926-1927. She received the following degrees from the University of Chicago, Divinity School: an M.A. in 1929, a B.D. in 1932, and a Ph.D. in 1933.

Foster worked with Hiram House at a social settlement in Cleveland from 1909 -1912, and served as a Missionary Assistant at the Presbyterian Old Stone Church in Cleveland, 1912-1926. Foster's subsequent career consisted of work as an educator, minister, author, and social activist. She served as the administrative dean, prof. Bible dept., Presbyterian. College, Christian Education, Chicago, 1927-1939, a visiting lecturer in India, 1939-1941, a self-employed writer and lecturer, 1941-1942, and was ordained as a minister by the Eau Claire Association. She later taught at Morehouse College and Silliman University in the Philippines. Foster was Chairman of the Commission on Missionary Education and Stewardship of the Cleveland Congregational Union. She was also an active member of numerous religious and social organizations: the American Association of Women Ministers (trustee), Society for Ministry Women in Church (based in the United Kingdom), Western Reserve Association, Friends World Council of Churches, Christian Women United, Quaker Fellowship, League of Women Voters, WCTU, SANE, Civil Liberties Union, the Jane Addams Peace Association, and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Her major published works include "New Guide to Bible Study" and "Jewish and Graeco-Roman Influences on Paul's Attitudes toward Women."

Source Consulted:

Who's Who of American Women. 7th Edition. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1972-1973.