Home Nancy A. Hardesty Memorial Scholarship Elaine Ransom – 2026 Nancy A. Hardesty Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Elaine Ransom – 2026 Nancy A. Hardesty Memorial Scholarship Recipient
The thirteenth annual Nancy A. Hardesty Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by Christian Feminism Today, has been awarded to Elaine Ransom, a Master of Arts in Media Arts and Worship candidate who will be attending Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas.
According to Mélena Laudig, Ph.D., an assistant professor of African American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary, where Ransom has been a student since September of 2025, Ransom is an “…accomplished singer-songwriter, music educator, and worship leader” who is a “driven and spiritually grounded student who uses her music to promote the healing and inclusion of all.“
In her application essay, Ransom commented on Christian feminism, saying:
“Christian feminism is an ever-changing perspective in life that determines how a person understands their vocation, authority, community, and more. It does not just add something to what you believe, it completely changes it. If feminism can be defined as reclaiming the attention to women that is necessary in legislative decisions and across numerous facets of life, then Christian feminism is the molding of theological views…to reflect on how [women] have impacted the body of Christ.”
Ransom was born in Jackson, MS. She recalls that her hometown is “where followers of Christ uplifted me by standing firm in faith.” As a military child, she found belonging in church choirs and ministries wherever the family resided. She grew up with a profound love for music, which became her first way of communing with God, stating, “I fell in love with Jesus through music.”
In 2019, she interned with Rev. Barbara Lavarin at the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. Later that year, she gave her first public sermon at an Alfred Street service.
Ransom earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in composition and performance from Spelman College. She is a classically trained vocalist with almost a decade of experience as a contracted singer. She has worked as an elementary music teacher/choir director, as well as teaching acting and serving as a musical director for various productions. She also has been involved with an organization called Unlocking Harmony, a program that serves incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.
Moving forward, Elaine wants to continue to integrate her passion for music with her love for God. After spending a year at Princeton Theological Seminary in their Master of Divinity program, God has called her to transition to Dallas Theological Seminary to work toward a Master of Arts in Media Arts and Worship. She expects the program at DTS to prepare her for a career that will allow her to integrate her music and faith.
“Regarding Christian feminism specifically, I’d like to remind everyone of the necessary inclusion of the concept of Christian womanism… Black women and men must recognize and address the discrimination we face together, as well as refute the discourse that would drive a wedge between equal representation in our own communities.”
Elaine Ransom in her NAHMS application essay.
