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Women Throughout the Ages
by Bonnie Moss (c) 2010 -06

 

A Woman's  Timeless Place in History 
 How Far Have They Come?


Historically, women had to struggle for recognition as equal to men. In every culture, 
race, creed, and social status, the rightful  place of a woman in society is a contentious 
issue. Does it go back to creation- when God took a rib from Adam to create Eve?  His son, 
Jesus, was conceived and born from Mary's womb, a woman. And so is all of humanity. Into  
the 21st century, Mary occupies a venerable place in the hearts and minds of many Christians. 
Is Eve to be blamed for the degradation of womanhood because she tempted Adam? 
He could have firmly said “NO.”

In the beginning of time, women were not a part of the male world of action, politics  
and thoughts. Somehow, women were able to enter the male- dominated world,  shared 
their knowledge on the issues of that era.  Many of these women will forever remain 
nameless, forgotten and lost in the mists of time. Throughout the ages, there were 
women who laid down the foundation for recognition of a women as equal to men.

Modern Woman

Modern era covers a wide variation of time. Some consider the Industrial Revolution 
as the start of the modern era. Others peg the Victorian years as the start of it, still 
some will say it started at the beginning of the 20th century. Post modern era starts 
after World War II and in to the start of the 21st century, some refer to it as 
the Millenial Era.
 
 What is modern era.. excerpt, author unknown
The concept of the modern world as distinct from an ancient or medieval world rests 
on a sense that the modern world is not just another era in history, but rather the result 
of a new type of change. This is conceived of as progress driven by deliberate human 
efforts to better their situation.

Advances in all areas of human activity- politics, industry, society, economics, 
commerce, transport, communication, mechanization, automation, science, medicine,
technology and culture-appear to have transformed an Old World  into the Modern or 
New World. In each case, the old Revolutionary change can be used to demarcate  
the old and old-fashioned from the modern.

Portions of the Modern world altered its relationship with the Biblical value system, 
revalued the monarchial government system, and abolished the feudal economic system, 
with new democratic and liberal ideas in the areas of politics, science, psychology, 
sociology, and economics.

               *****************

In modern times, many women still suffer the discrimination of being inferior to men. 
It can be traced back to history of a male-dominated society, the predominant misogyny 
of christian scholars and theologians.  The accomplishments of  many women were ignored 
or obliterated.  Today, there are chauvinist males who remain thorns on the side of the 
female sex. Proudly, this did not stop women from expressing who and what they are since 
the beginning of time. History proves that many women dared to prove they are not inferior 
to man.It is difficult to exclude the word “ feminism” when it involves women's battle 
to exclude gender in the social structure.

Christian tradition was a strong influence on the status of women  for over 2000 years 
to this day. Religion was very much a part of society. Politics,education and culture 
revolved around religion. Sexuality was not discussed. Sexual pleasure was considered 
evil, it was a problem. Today's  attitude towards sex is more permissive and sexuality 
is no longer defined by Christian standards, thus there is no guilt attached to it.
A woman today has control of her sexuality.She understands it, she chooses her way 
of expressing it. This  sexual freedom can  have serious  complications A woman has 
to be prepared to protect herself  from sexually transmitted disease like AIDS, possible 
unwanted  pregnancy ,violence and abuse  are issues to consider.

Feminism:
Women's movement towards liberation started in the Middle Ages when women realized 
that knowledge was power and education liberated them from marriage where they have 
to live in the shadows of their husbands and possible degradation. 

The women's movement for liberation is passed on to the modern women. On the agenda  
were equal rights, right to vote, equal pay for equal work with men, right to choose,  
economic independence and  freedom from sexual harassment.

It must be noted that there are women today who are not comfortable with the word
feminist. There is a misunderstanding that feminism is mainly the domain 
of upscale females who are born into the affluent class. Economic and social standing is 
not intended to divide the female population in the matter of feminism. This movement 
helps to encourage women from all walks of life to learn to stand for themselves and 
uphold the basic tenets of society independently, without holding onto the arms of a man.

The modern female moves on towards unchartered territories where no woman has been. Into 
the late 20th century, more women are recognized for their important contributions in 
politics, the corporate world, science, medicine, education, culture and technology 
in the world stage, even into space exploration. 

Today, women are joining the skilled labor force. There are carpenters, truck drivers, 
operators of heavy duty equipment and more. Women have entered into the executive level 
of the corporate world which was  male dominated into the 1970's.

In current history, female advocates for recognition  and equal rights of women take 
pride in the high profiled women- political leaders like Indira Gandhi, Golda Meier, 
Margaret Thatcher and Hilary Clinton to name a few.  Civil rights activist  like 
Susan B. Anthony left a legacy; Rosa Parks successfully broke racial barrier, thanks 
to Hollywood. In the entertainment arena, Marian Anderson , an African American, was 
propelled into the world of entertainment  due to the support of FDR and particularly 
his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, another woman in the world stage. Marian did not disappoint 
a crowd of approximately 75,000 at the Lincoln Memorial.

In science, health and technology, who has not heard of Madame Curie; what about 
Florence Nightingale? Didn't Amelia Erhart win accolades for her conquest in the 
field of aviation? We must not forget Mother Teresa and her miraculous work in India!

In the World wars 1 & 2,there are many nameless women who fought too. Their roles were 
controversial and even unacknowledged by the countries they fought for. 

In her book, Women in War, Shelley Saywell offers rightful and meaningful 
tribute to the many forgotten women veterans of  World War 11. Their sacrifice is not 
forgotten. Her book tells the story of women pilots from Britain, resistance fighters 
in France, Italy and Poland. Also about the Russian marines, Israeli commandos, French 
and American nurses in Vietnam and numerous guerillas.


Women in Biblical Times 
In the biblical times to the Ministry of Jesus, rolling on to the Dark and Middle Ages, 
there are notable women who were not hindered by their sex to take an active role in 
society. There were those who ruled  alongside their husbands, some went to war, some 
showed talent in art and literature. 

In biblical times
Society was patriarchal at the beginning of time.  There were women who played major roles.

Around 1120 BCE-Judge and Phrophetess Debrah of Judeah (Israel) 
The fourth Judge and only female Judge in pre-monarchic Israel. Held her position for 
40 years and led the Israeli tribes to a war with Canaan. Her story is told in the 
Old Testament in Judges.

Queen Makeda of Sheba: 1005-965 
Legends about this queen are common in Arabia, Persia, Ethopia and Israel. Ethopian 
legend indicate that she was born in Ophir and educated in Ethopia. Her father died 
when she was fifteeen and she succeeded to become the Queen of Sheba. There are contradictory 
stories about her relationship with Solomon. The Bible portrays her as converting to the 
God of the Israelites. Legends claim that she was a virgin queen for the first six years 
of her forty year rule.As a child, she was called Makeba.

873-852 Politically influential Queen Consort Jezebel of Israel
852-842 Politically influential in Judeah
The story of Jezebel is told in the Old Testament in Kings 1. She was an enemy of the 
prophet Elijah. King Ahab was her husband. She was chief advisor and  the official 
correspondent of the court. She established the worship of Phoenician gods and goddesses. 
After the death of her husband, she continued to be a strong influence to her two sons, 
Ochozias and Joram. Her daughter Athali was married to King Joram. She was killed in a 
coup against King Joram.

Deborah ( 1296 BCE) 
She was a biblical judge of and prophetess in Israel who successfully lead troops in 
a war against the Canaanite invader Sisera. 

Judith 
Her story is in the bible-Book of Judith. She was an Israelite widow. Babylonian 
General Holoferness took seige of her city. Judith used her beauty, feminine wiles 
and wealth to seduce the general in his tent. She got him drunk, then decapitated him, 
put the head in a  bag, strolled out of the camp and returned home. The general's 
head was placed atop the city wall, thus the enemy fled in terror. This is about 
a woman  in the biblical times who used her brains to defeat a powerful enemy.


The Ministry of Jesus

Jesus’ honor and respect was extended to all women—an attitude largely unexpected 
and unknown in his culture and time. Jesus, unlike the men of his generation and culture,
taught that women were equal to men in the sight of God.  He had women followers who took 
part in his ministry ignoring the norm of that time about the status of women. However, 
there are those who paint a different picture of Jesus and his treatment of women.

Joanna 
In Luke 8:3, he writes about women who helped Jesus out of their personal financial 
resources. Joanna was the wife of Cuza, manager of Herod's household. Susanna was 
another follower. Oher women, believed to be widows who controlled their personal finances  
provided financial support to the ministry of Jesus.

The three Mary's, his Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Mary( Salome) were at his side 
throughout his suffering on the cross. The men fled, but the women stayed by His side 
after His death.

In Matthew 27:55-56, he states that women were free to follow him. Many of them 
followed him faithfully and stood by the cross whereas the male followers fled, 
afraid for their lives.

After the death of Jesus, women continued to play prominent roles in the early movement. 
Some scholars have even suggested that the majority of Christians in the first century 
may have been women. Paul, in his Letters mentions the Jewish and Gentile women who were 
active members in the movement to spread the message of Jesus. These women travelled 
either with their husbands or brothers. It was not an easy road, some of the women suffered 
imprisonment.

At that time, Christianity was declared illegal by the Romans. Gatherings were held in private 
homes and were looked after by the women. The women played a key role, providing financial 
support and active as apostles to spread the word. Among some of the women were:

Prisca, Junai, Julia and Nereu's sister. Eudia and Syntyche were also mentioned. Other 
women mentioned as leaders of the church houses were Apphia, in Philemon 2; 
Lydia of Thyathria ( Acts 16:15); Nympha of Laodicea ( Colossians 4:15). 
Paul also speaks of a deaconness Phoebe.


It is not the intention of this article to cover the whole subject of women's place in
history. This would take pages to fill a book and more. It is, however, meant to provide 
information and to get readers interested in the topic of women and their efforts to prove 
that they are not the weaker nor the inferior sex.My next article deals with the Women of the
Dark Ages to the Medieval Times to follow soon.


References: Karen King- Women in Ancient Christianity
            The Gospel According to Woman- Karen Armstrong
            Pope Joan - Peter Stanford
            Warrior Queens
            Notable Women of Medieval Europe - John Johnson Lewis
   On-line resources: worldwide guide to WomenLeadership.com
                       ancient history.com
                       pbs.org
                        about.com

  

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