NASHVILLE (TN)
Al.com [Birmingham AL]
June 11, 2025
By Greg Garrison
Actor Ashley Judd mourned Southern Baptist abuse victim Jennifer Lyell this week, praising her bravery in standing up against attempts to downplay the sexual abuse of women in the church.
“Sister Jennifer did a good, true, and honorable thing,” Judd wrote on her social media accounts. “A hard, costly thing.”
Lyell died June 7. She was 47.
While she was working as an executive for Lifeway, the Southern Baptist publishing arm, Lyell accused a Southern Baptist seminary professor of sexual abuse, leading to an investigation into SBC handling of abuse.
Judd said she grew up Southern Baptist also and recounted some of her experiences.https://6119ad845c7013aa119f9716eaad4115.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-45/html/container.html
“I attended the Southern Baptist church growing up in Ashland, Kentucky, summer living with Nana and Papaw Judd,” Judd wrote.
“During Sunday School, Uncle Mark drove the little bus and took us to watch the Cincinnati Reds. Uncle Mark and Aunt Middy were so brave and sad, both, to leave the Southern Baptist Convention when the men took leadership positions away from women.
“Last evening, I halted my June pleasures of being with lightning bugs, frogs, crickets and peepers to honor Jennifer Lyell. I honor Jennifer, because she put the pea in her whistle and blew it on male sexual violence toward girls and women, and the cover up within the Southern Baptist Convention. Sister Jennifer did a good, true, and honorable thing. A hard, costly thing.
“Her honesty revealed publicly what many knew and willfully concealed within her congregations:https://6119ad845c7013aa119f9716eaad4115.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-45/html/container.html
“Male sexual violence of girls and women was rampant was/is unchecked within the Southern Baptist churches — and many churches.
“As she died, Jennifer’s denomination started its annual meeting. No one mentioned her.”
“I will lift her up. Join me. Speak out against Institutional Betrayal learn how to bring Institutional Courage to your faith organizations. More information at www.institutionalcourage.org. “
Although at the time Judd posted the message on the first day of the Southern Baptist Convention no mention had been made of Lyell, on Wednesday, the second and final day, her name was mentioned.
A former Southern Seminary student mentioned he was at the school at the same time as Lyell and asked Southern Seminary President Albert Mohler if he could lead a prayer for her family. Mohler then led a prayer for Lyell’s family as those in attendance prayed silently.
Greg Garrison | ggarrison@al.com