Our history is filled with women who found their voices, many through trial and error, women like Hildegard of Bingen, Katherina von Bora Luther and Sojourner Truth. Some spoke out for universal suffrage, care of those living in poverty, peace not war, while others spoke out against racism, sexism, and all manner of inequity.
There are lots of contemporary women and girls who serve as role models. Greta Thunberg found her voice and uses it to bring worldwide attention to climate change. Malala Yousafzai, a recent Oxford University graduate and Nobel Peace Prize winner, found her voice bringing global attention to educating girls. Leymah Gbowee, our Lutheran sister, used her voice to bring an end to civil war in Liberia.
You and I are unlikely to garner a worldwide platform. But that’s no excuse for not finding and using our voices. Why do we need to find and use our voices? As Christian women, we find and use our voices because it is one way in which we live out our baptismal promises. It’s not optional. It’s what we do as Christians. As author Kathy Khang has said, “our voice is meant to be and bring good news.”
This message is excerpted from “Use your voice to become part of the solution” by Linda Post Bushkofsky from the October 5, 2020, blog of the Women of the ELCA.
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