As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we remember all the Christian women who made a difference for the Kingdom of Christ. These were women of courage and foresight who marched against the traditions of their culture in order to follow their Lord. But who were some of these women?

Mary and Martha, friends of Jesus, provided a place where he could rest. Legend tells us that Martha was a wealthy widow and the homeowner who supported her brother, Lazarus, and her sister, Mary. Martha organized the work, supervised her servants and – as scripture implies – used her type A personality to get things done.

We need the Martha’s of our world, just as much as we need the Mary’s.

Other biblical women who exercised leadership and earned their way to biblical records include Lydia, Priscilla, Deborah, Abigail, Rahab, Jael, Mary Magdalene, Suzanna, Ruth, Joanna and of course, Mary – the mother of Jesus.

But what of the women beyond these biblical characters?

Many Christian women of history are listed as martyrs, those ladies who gave their all for the love of their Lord. Some of these noble warriors include Blandina (177 AD) from France, Perpetua and Felicitas (203AD), Faltonia (4th century AD) and Anne Askew (1546) an English Protestant martyr. Many others may not be recorded here, but they are definitely written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Many historical women were noted missionaries, who moved to another country and brought other people groups to Christ. To become a missionary in those days meant extreme hardship. These women truly left father, mother and homeland for the sake of the Gospel (Mark 10:29).

Some of these brave women include:
• Ann Lee (1736-1784: a Quaker missionary)
• Ann Judson (1789-1826: missionary to Burma)
• Lottie Moon (1840-1912: missionary to China)
• Mary Slessor (1848-1915: missionary to Africa)
• Ida Scudder (1870-1960: missionary to India)
• Evelyn Brand (1879-1974: missionary to India)
• Gladys Aylward (1903-1970: missionary to China)
• Elisabeth Elliott and Rachel Saint who helped reach the hearts of the Auca Indians in the 1950’s-60’s.

During Women’s History Month, we salute these brave women who left a legacy of faithfulness to Christ. As their sisters, we step forward to serve our Lord in whatever field He leads us to – for the glory of the One who created us to be His.