The Williams sisters have more than DNA in common — the three received milestone educational achievement this past weekend as they earned their doctorate degrees.
On May 27, Patricia Williams Harleston, Shirley Williams and Gwen Williams Dandridge all earned their doctorate in Christian ministry from the North Carolina Theological Seminary. All three are graduates of Clinton High School, and the daughters of Hilda Williams and the late James “Buster” Williams.
According to Dandridge, the sisters decided to enroll in the program as a means to continue their lifelong work in outreach and ministry.
“Each day I strive for my work and my life to encourage someone to be more and do more,” Williams shared. “This additional degree will further enhance my skills and outreach.”
Harleston, who currently resides in Durham, graduated from CHS in 1978 and then received her bachelor’s degree from Shaw University and her master’s degree in Christian counseling from Apex School of Theology. She currently serves as the executive pastor of Orange Grove Baptist Church in Durham.
Williams graduated two years later in 1980 and furthered her education at East Carolina University where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She later earned her master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and achieved the national board certification for teachers. She is currently serving in her 29th year with Clinton City Schools where she is the coordinator of student services and federal programs.
Dandridge, the youngest of the sisters, graduated from CHS in 1983 and received her bachelor’s degree from N.C. State University and an MBA from Salem International University. The former television news anchor resides in Richmond, Va., where she is a professor of Mass Communications at Virginia State University.
The idea to seek their doctorates, the sisters admit, originally came from older sister, Harleston, who is the founder of Trish Harleston Ministries, LLC, an outreach ministry primarily for women.
“I believe that if we will endeavor to position ourselves for service in whatever capacity the Lord has called us to, then He will open doors and make ministry opportunities available that will have profound impact on the lives of others,” Harleston said. “But we must posture ourselves through a never-ending pursuit of excellence.”
The graduation ironically coincided with the 42nd anniversary of the sister’s father’s passing.
“He died on the last Saturday in May 1975,” Dandridge said. “We were ages 10, 12 and 14 at the time. He was all about education and there is no doubt that the brightness of that day was indeed his smile shining down on us.”
Dandridge said their mother, who is now 83, was excited about being present for the milestone event.
“Between my eight children and 11 grandchildren, I have attended more graduations than I can count, but having my three youngest children graduate together earning their terminal degree was amongst my proudest moments,” Hilda Williams shared.
The sisters say they have searched the internet, and their Google searches have resulted in zero matches for sisters or siblings who received their doctorate degrees on the same day. Additionally, the sisters were awarded commendations for excellence in their dissertations.
When asked what they plan to do with their newly earned degrees, the sisters simply explained that they will continue to do what they have always done by “allowing God to use us for His divine purpose to minister to His people in our own individual ways.”