Book 22

A Claim to New Roles

by Page Putnam Miller

Published 1 January 1985
During the early nineteenth century Presbyterian women claimed new roles for themselves and formed missionary and charity societies, established and taught in Sunday schools, became missionaries, promoted female education, and frequently became the acknowledged spiritual leaders of the home. The author discusses why women sought new opportunities, why the male clergy and laity assented, what developments facilitated the changes, what kinds of women responded to the new climate in the church, their contributions, and the consequences.