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In Memoriam: Virginia West Davidson
Virginia West "Ginny" Davidson
Virginia West Davidson, former Vice Moderator of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, Moderator of the 1978 Task Force on Homosexuality and the Church and founding member of That All May Freely Serve, died peacefully at her home in Rochester, New York, on October 19, at the age of 93.
Virginia, known as Ginny to family and friends, attended Brick Presbyterian Church–now the Downtown United Presbyterian Church–in Rochester NY, where she was confirmed as a member 80 years ago, in 1929. She attended the University of Rochester and then Wellesley College, from which she earned her B.S.
During World War II, she worked for the American Red Cross, traveling to London to help set up Red Cross centers for soldiers. She married S. Wilson “Davie” Davidson in October 1945 in the Taylor Chapel. Ginny and Davie raised four children: James, John, Eleanor, and Peter. After the children were off to college and careers, Ginny and Davie moved downtown in 1973 to become a part of the redevelopment of the city they loved.
Ginny’s involvement with her church increased too. She was elected Moderator of the Genesee Valley Presbytery and attended her first General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church U.S.A. in 1974. There (much to her surprise) she was asked to serve as Vice Moderator and to travel the country especially to encourage women’s leadership. In 1976 she chaired the Task Force on Homosexuality and the Church. Then, at a time when most people retire, she enrolled at Colgate Rochester Divinity School, where she earned a Masters in Theology.
Virginia West Davidson was a founding member and Moderator of That All May Freely Serve, which advocates for all those who are disenfranchised in the church, promoting a church which celebrates its diversity and welcomes the gifts of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members.
Together with her close friend, the Reverend Janie Spahr, she traveled the country for over a decade changing people’s minds by changing their hearts, and sharing the great good news that all are welcome in the household of God.
Virginia was a recipient of Presbyterian Women’s Woman of Faith Award, as well as the Distinguished Alumna Award at Colgate Rochester Seminary, and the Witherspoon Society award, among others.
Her family has asked that any gifts in Ginny’s honor be given to That All May Freely Serve, for which we are grateful.
Insofar as organizations bear the imprint of their founders, That All May Freely Serve is exceedingly blessed to count Virginia West Davidson among its co-creators. Her erudition, dignity, passion, compassion, and faith came together in a woman who called the church to its highest ideals – to love, cherish and celebrate the gifts of all God’s people.