My Tribute to Fran Hiebert
Founding Director, Office of Women's Concerns at Fuller Seminary
Fran was such a wonderful combination! I remember her as very down to earth and
practical - those parenting skills come in handy -while she was also so
passionate about causes of justice and equality.
I was tremendously impressed, for instance, by her pacifism
which included holding back federal taxes so they would not go into war
efforts. She had a very gracious presence, which allowed her to ask hard
questions in ways that could be received without defensiveness. Her creativity was delightful - I
remember a chapel talk where she presented a "slide show" that had
neither projector nor slides, yet put all of us as listeners into the pictures
she described and the stories they represented.
Her innate kindness and her big heart drew many students to her,
and she served as an unofficial mentor for many women who were trying to find
their way into a legitimate expression of their own call to ministry.
She and Paul together were a marvelous illustration of mutuality
in marriage. She, and they,
inspired and influenced so many people, more than those dear humble souls ever
would have realized.
Published in the special issue “A Memoriam of Paul G. Hiebert”
www.globalmissiology.org April 1, 2007