Rev. Dr. Tori Butler was born and raised by her mother Coretha “Coty” Corry in Baltimore, MD. Ms. Corry taught her that education is of great importance and would be the passport to her future. She would often tell her, “If you are bored, go read a book. It can take you wherever you want to go.” Ms. Corry's encouragement in education translated in Tori being the first person in her peer group?from her neighborhood?to graduate with a college degree. Dr. Butler received a BA in History and International Study from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Dr. Butler graduated from Duke with a Master of Divinity in 2010 and is published in Do Not Be Afraid: Bishops & Young Clergy Share Signs of Resurrection & Words of Hope. By God’s amazing grace and through tremendous perseverance on May 13, 2019 she received her Doctor of Ministry degree from Emory University with a concentration in Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation. Her Doctor of Ministry project is entitled, “The Power of Mourning: Creating Spaces of Vulnerability for Black Clergywomen to Lament and Holler.” She is excited to be the Lead Pastor of Good Hope Union United Methodist Church. She gives praises to God for the opportunity to serve in her home conference and believes that God is up to something good and can’t wait to see what it is.
