Woman of Vision, by Mandy McMichael

Carol Ann Vaughn

I don’t know where I would be today if I had not met her 8 years ago. Carol Ann inspired me to dig deep and dream big. She introduced me to amazing women of whom I had never heard. She told me their stories. She told me her story. She told me I had a story too, and she made sure that I knew that my story wasn’t determined for me. I had a choice about how it progressed and what people, ideas, and experiences to include. She listened to the doubts of a young freshperson. She laughed (I’m sure!) when I acted like I had everything figured out. She encouraged me in my love of learning. She taught me the art of combining learning with doing. She watched, but never judged, as I made countless mistakes. She waited. She rejoiced when I finally accepted God’s call. Simply put, she ministered to me.

Looking back, I know that my experience of her as a minister taught me not only the validity of women ministers, but also their necessity in God’s kingdom. Carol Ann continues to inspire young women to discover the gifts buried deep within themselves and to dream “impossible” dreams about what they can do with them. Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay her is that I want to do what she does.

As a future professor/minister, I want to be patient as my students discern, rebel, and grow into their vocations. I hope to make my students feel as special, important, and irreplaceable to the life of the Church as she did me.