Shelley Washington is making a powerful impact in Houston as both the campus pastor of St. Peter United and the service director of The Normal Anomaly Initiative. Originally from Galveston, she now resides in Houston, where she uses her leadership to advocate for social justice, economic opportunity, and healthcare access—particularly for marginalized communities.
As a proud lesbian woman, Washington is deeply committed to expanding LGBTQ leadership and programming. One of her key contributions is PrEPHer, a sexual health and wellness program specifically for Black women, which educates and equips them with vital knowledge about sexual health, pleasure, and well-being.
Breaking Barriers in Ministry
Washington’s journey in ministry has not been easy. In 2013, she was licensed as a minister in the Baptist church, but later faced pushback from her church, which refused to ordain women. Determined to continue her spiritual calling, she transitioned to the United Church of Christ in 2021. Despite experiencing misogynoir (a mix of racism and sexism against Black women), she persevered and was officially ordained in July 2024.
Her resilience is fueled by her passion for representation. “There are not enough of us who are out, proud, and loud. That keeps me going for our community,” she says.
A Strong Foundation of Love and Support
Washington credits her strength to the unwavering support of her family—both chosen and biological. She finds deep comfort and encouragement in the people who uplift her, particularly her wife of six years, Latreva Herndon-Washington.
“Latreva is my hero. She helped me find liberation when I thought I would always be trapped by others’ judgment, traditional ideologies, and spiritual beliefs.”
Balancing Leadership with Self-Care
With such demanding work, Washington prioritizes self-care to maintain her well-being. She enjoys simple joys like:
- Building Lego cars 🏎️
- Spending a day at the spa 🧖🏽♀️
- Going off the grid to recharge 🌿
She lives by the words of Audre Lorde, who said:
“Self-care is self-preservation, and an act of political warfare.”
Washington’s journey is one of faith, resilience, and advocacy, inspiring those around her to embrace their true selves and fight for justice.
