Hlatywayo, Anniegrace MapangisanaAnniegrace MapangisanaHlatywayo2024-07-232024-07-232024978-3-98989-000-8https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/handle/uniba/96495Hailed as the first Black woman to earn a Doctor of Theology Degree from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, Lilian Dube is a history maker and undoubtedly one of the leading matriarchs in the academia, championing the cause for gender justice and the emancipation and empowerment of African women. By 2023, she was an associate professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at San Francisco University, United States of America. Dube’s academic prowess spans over decades of research in African Theology and Religion, Gender and Sexuality and the devastating gendered HIV and AIDS. A recipient of numerous accolades inclusive of international fellowships and awards, Dube also holds several professional positions within the international arena. Drawing from selected writings, this chapter highlights Dube’s quest for sensitive theologies that seek to negate and transform patriarchal bias that predisposes women of their spiritual and leadership capabilities. It brings to the fore, Dube’s engagement with African perspectives on gender, healing and spirituality and cultural gerontology as well as highlighting the agency of women as spiritual leaders and change makers in the context of African Independent Churches.engLilian DubeAfrican TheologyGender JusticeGender and SexualityPatriarchyAfrican Independent Churches230bookpart