Reverend Dr. Repsie M. Warren is the Founder and Overseer of Society for Helping Church (Deaf & Hearing), located in the heart of North Philadelphia. Reared in North Carolina, Rev. Warren received a Bachelor of Science degree from Elizabeth City State University in 1954, a Master’s in Education from Philadelphia Antioch University in 1979, a Masters of Religion from the Philadelphia Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1983, and a Doctorate of Ministry from the New York Theological Seminary in 1994. She also did graduate work in deaf education at Temple University, Columbia University and Gallaudet College.
After relocating to Philadelphia years ago, Rev. Warren discovered a passion that has helped enhance the quality of many lives. She had taught students in North Carolina for two years prior to moving, and was assigned to the Martin School for the Deaf as a substitute while waiting to take her teacher's exam. She knew after her first day that it would be her mission in life to help hearing impaired persons.
Reverend Warren is also an outstanding educator. Since her retirement from teaching in the Philadelphia Public School System, she has become an activist concerned about quality education. Additionally, her civil work experience includes working under five mayors with the following noted positions: Executive Director of the Mayor’s Commission, the Mayor’s
Commission on Women, the Board of License and Review, and Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission.Reverend Warren has played a vital role in many social and civil organizations in the Philadelphia community such as: the Vice Chair of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity, Inc., and Vice President of the Southeastern Region of One Church One Child. She is a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Association, Philadelphia National Black Deaf Advocates Association, the Metropolitan Christian Council, the National Kidney Foundation of Delaware Valley, the National Baptist Convention, USA, and the Philadelphia Baptist Association. Reverend Warren has been active in religious and community projects, holding memberships in various organizations for community enrichment. She has been blessed to travel every side in the United States of America and foreign lands, China, Russia, Ghana, West Africa, Jerusalem, Eastern and Western Caribbean islands.
Reverend Warren has dedicated her life to improving the plight of the people within the Philadelphia community and has received over one hundred and thirty awards and citations from local, state and national organizations including the Martin Luther King Jr.- 2nd Drum Major for Social Justice Edith Ingram Award – Omega Omega Chapter – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.