Associate Editor about women's role in today's church. Mrs. Jenks is a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, and has served on The Christian Science Board of Directors and as President of The Mother Church.
Russ Gerber: Betty, what sparked your interest in becoming a Christian Science practitioner and eventually a teacher of Christian Science?
Betty Jenks: Well, there were a couple of things. First of all, I was raised in a family that were all Christian Scientists. My mother and father had taken Christian Science class instruction with someone who had lived in Mary Baker Eddy's home. So, my religion was very meaningful to me from a very early age. And someplace I got the idea that everybody grew up to be [a Christian Science] practitioner. So it was just like, "Well, that's what I'm going to be in life, a practitioner." It was always in the background. But I think more than anything else that inspired me to go into the practice has been the example of individuals. For instance, I had a mother who had many, many challenges while we were growing up. She was very firm and strong, courageous and successful. And I saw that. Also I had a sister who was very influential. Then, when I went to the university, I had the opportunity of living in the home of a Christian Science practitioner whose healing work inspired me.
