A profound theological exploration of two iconic mothers—Mamie Till Mobley, mother of Emmett Till, and Mary, the mother of Jesus—whose lives of faith, resilience, and activism illuminate the struggles and strength of mothers in the face of systemic violence and injustice.

Power, Resilience, and the Black Madonna draws a poignant connection between these two figures, positioning them as embodiments of spiritual resilience and fierce opponents of oppression. At the heart of the book lies Mamie Till’s story, a mother who transformed her grief into a call for justice after the brutal lynching of her son, Emmett Till, in 1955. Mamie’s decision to hold an open-casket funeral revealed the horrors of racial violence to the world, and her lifelong activism earned her recognition as a mother of the civil rights movement. Baker-Fletcher parallels this with the life of Mary, the Theotokos, or Mother of God, who endured the crucifixion of her son and became a symbol of hope and faith for oppressed communities throughout history.

The book delves into the theological, historical, and cultural significance of these women, highlighting their roles as living martyrs and icons of justice. It examines Mary’s often-overlooked importance in Protestant theology and Mamie Till’s enduring legacy as an educator and activist. Through careful scholarship and heartfelt storytelling, Baker-Fletcher reveals how both women embody a call to confront systems of oppression and embrace faith that fuels resistance and transformation.

Rooted in womanist theology, as well as historical and literary analysis, Power, Resilience, and the Black Madonna challenges readers to see Mary as mother of the beloved community and Mamie as a reflection of the Black Madonna—iconic symbols of enfleshed freedom and spiritual resilience. It considers the prophetic power of motherhood and the redemptive force of love and justice in a world where mothers continue to grieve the loss of children to unjust violence.

For theologians, activists, and anyone seeking to understand the enduring power of faith and motherhood, this book offers a deeply relevant theological and moral call to action. Through the powerful stories of Mary and Mamie, this book redefines martyrdom as a life devoted to truth and justice, offering a renewed Protestant Mariology and a vision of church mothering that calls readers to embody compassion, resilience, and transformation in today’s divisive, violent world.