Hidden Figures is a storytelling and historical preservation project born from the legacy of Rev. Dr. Leoncia "Mama Leo" Rosado Rousseau, a towering yet often underacknowledged figure in urban Pentecostal history. Mama Leo’s unwavering commitment to the poor, her prophetic leadership in the streets of New York, and her bold embodiment of faith and justice inspired generations, but her name, like so many Pentecostal women, rarely appears in official church archives or theological textbooks.
This site seeks to change that.
Hidden Figures honors the lives and ministries of Pentecostal women, pastors, evangelists, and justice-seekers, who shaped the spiritual and civic life of the Northeastern corridor. Though some remain unknown to the academy, their impact was undeniable to the communities they served. They built churches, challenged oppressive systems, and raised up new leaders, often without recognition, or institutional support.
It’s time their stories take center stage.
Upcoming events
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Podcast Mini-Series Launch
Dr. Liz, on her Circle of Friends Podcast, will interview key Pentecostal Leaders on the series theme, “The Spirit Speaks Through Her”
Conversations at the intersection of Pentecostal fire, women’s leadership, and legacy-building in overlooked places.September 8, 2025 - Episode 1
September 15, 2025 - Episode 2
September 22, 2025 - Episode 3
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The Ladies Are Warriors Webinar & Data Drop
September 29, 2025
Live from 7:00-8:00 PM
Dr. Rios will share on why she wrote this chapter so many years ago and how that was the foundation for new research funded by the Louisville Institute on Empowering Resilient Women Ministers: Unveiling the Fuel to Serve Amidst Misogyny. The key findings will be revealed as well. If you are a woman in ministry, you need to be here.
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4th Annual Mama Leo Lecture at Union Theological Seminary
October 18*, 2025 9 AM - 5 PM
Theme: Herencia Profética: Latina Voices Shaping the Church and Society"
(Prophetic Legacy: Latina Voices Shaping the Church and Society)A Celebration of the Latina Pentecostal Legacy of Social Transformation, Public Theology, and Prophetic Preaching
To celebrate the legacy of NYC Pentecostal women and build on the momentum of this project, we are supporting the Mama Leo Lecture Series—a gathering of scholars, ministers, artists, and community leaders engaging in liberating theology, memory work, and Pentecostal heritage. Seasoned and emerging leaders encouraged to attend.
*date is tentative
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you—whether you're a researcher, a descendant of one of these women, or someone who wants to bring their own Hidden Figure into the light.