Year Honored: 1999

Born in: Milton, Delaware

Biography

Grace Ruth Batten grew up as the 13th child in her family. She attended Milton Public School, and then Delaware Technical Community College where she earned an associates in applied science, and later a Bachelor of Science from Wilmington University. Her father was a preacher, having founded the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and Batten herself is a lifelong Baptist. After graduating from Wilmington University, Batten attended Burke Bible College, where she received a bachelor’s in Theology. She continued her education at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, traveling there from Milton five days a week. She earned a master’s in theological studies, and later a doctorate in sacred theology from the International Christian University.

Batten has been the pastor at of the Mt. Zion Holy Church for over 46 years and has also been a Bishop in the Baptist Church since 1994. As a “spiritual and community leader who has a proven ability to motivate and inspire many, particularly young people,” Bishop Batten has held numerous leadership roles in her community. The foremost of these was as the first African American, and first woman, to serve as Mayor of Milton, where she was “credited for her understanding commitment to the needs of others.” Her other roles include positions in organizations that address the needs of women and girls, including the American Association of University Women, National Association of Negro Women, the Milton Town Council, on the board of Directors for the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council, and Vice-President of the Friends of the Milton Public Library.

Batten is a single-mother, and has successfully balanced family, work, her schooling, and serving her community. She frequently helps women facing similar circumstances. Batten is also an avid hat collector and has an entire room for the more than 100 hats she’s collected from all over the world.

For her work, Batten has been honored as the International Women’s Day Honoree (1999); the Delaware Technical and Community College ‘Walk of Success’; and has been noted in ‘A Legacy from Delaware Women,’ ‘Famous Black Delawar-eans,’ and ‘Who’s Who in Black America.’
_____________________________________________________________________________

Sources and Additional Readings

Bishop grace ruth batten: Decades of breaking barriers. Cape Gazette. (1970, January 1). Retrieved January 12, 2022, from https://www.capegazette.com/article/bishop-grace-ruth-batten-decades-breaking-barriers/114703

Pastor's Bio. Mt. Zion Holy Church. (n.d.). Retrieved January 12, 2022, from https://www.mtzionholychurchde.org/pastors-bio.html