Narrative Summary
Interview with Romona Baker by Tammy Blumenthal
I interviewed Romona Baker, for the Women of Religion in the Ozarks project at her
office in the Council of Churches building. Where she is currently the director of Safe to Sleep, a
homeless shelter for women in Springfield. Before we went back into her office we stood at a
window in the reception area looking out into a courtyard with some trees and a small table. It
was raining that morning so we didn’t go out to enjoy it, but she explained that when the weather
permitted, that she would sit out there with her coffee and read a devotional or sit in prayer.
Romona, knowing my morning love affair for coffee led me back to the break
room to offer me some much needed caffeine before she gave me a brief tour, and introduced me
to some more of the staff. I could tell that this place was her home away from home and that her
work there was not just work, but a passion.
I have seen a lot of the world and met a great number of people who want to make
the world a better place, but I do have to admit that Romona is one of the most unique ones yet.
She lost her mother when she was only seven years old and was raised by her father, and
eventually also her stepmother. She gives her stepmother credit for her early introduction into a
Methodist church, but later they became Baptists. When I asked her who her biggest influences
were she said her father and various pastors over the past 70 years. She was quick to point out
that she felt that God was not an overpowering male figure, but a being of love and compassion,
which was also the way she described her father. She is married and has one child and two grand
children.
She said that she never felt like she couldn’t do anything in the church because
she was a woman. In fact she said that she has always been encouraged to take on leadership
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roles, and at one point was part of a Pastoral Committee that considered women ministers. They
didn’t select one, but the deciding criteria were not based gender.
Romona says that she is a scientist first and foremost. She taught physics at the
High School level for 35 years. She didn’t get involved in the non-profit arena until she started
reaching the point of retirement. In 1998 she felt compelled to do something other than teach, so
she found her way to Rainbow Network through a friend. She ended up in Nicaragua when a
hurricane hit. She became the liaison for the organization since she was already on the ground.
She spent most of her time though taking pictures and recording the events as they took place.
She served as the volunteer coordinator for Rainbow Network for ten years leading 15 trips to
Nicaragua.
In 2009 she was working with different groups in Springfield helping the
homeless. At that time shelters only opened up during extremely cold weather, and slowly started
opening up longer throughout the year. Not really understanding the struggles of the homeless
community she realized there was a need when a homeless woman told her that she didn’t have a
safe place to go. So in 2011 she started Safe to Sleep, a place where women who didn’t have a
safe place to sleep could go. Not every woman who stays there is homeless, but may not be able
to get home due to transportation or other domestic issues.
When I asked her if Safe to Sleep offers ministry to these women her answer was
quick and to the point. “Safe to Sleep is the ministry.” Since the shelter is set up in a church the
word of God is available to them, but is not a condition of their stay.
She said that the shelter is basically run on a wing and a prayer. Volunteers and money
always come in just when they are needed the most.
Before we concluded the interview she picked up a dry brown leaf sitting on her
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desk. She talked about how as a scientist she couldn’t just let things happen in her life. Yet, as a
scientist she could do it as an experiment, and observe as things just happen in her life and go as
she is called by God. She decided that in order to do that she need a reminder or a memento to
keep her on track. During her search for one she kept seeing this light flash in through her
window, and when she looked out there was a wet leaf reflecting sunlight toward her. So the leaf
stays on her desk to remind her to not over think things, and to let God guide her.
Missouri State University
Spring 2015
Religious Lives of Ozarks Women
4
Missouri State University
Spring 2015
Religious Lives of Ozarks Women