Courageous Women

March 8^th was International Women’s Day.  It is a day to celebrate and reflect on the progress made on women’s rights and a day to call for an end to gender inequality.  As I reflect on this day, I am thankful for the strong and courageous women in my life.  I am thankful for women I have never met who helped to pave the way for me to be a pastor. 

Elizabeth Platz was the first ordained Lutheran woman in America.  She entered a field with a high rate of burnout among women due to stress and discrimination. Despite the stress and discrimination, she persisted in her career for 47 years.  Growing up I knew nothing about Elizabeth and I never had a woman as my pastor, yet God’s call to pastoral ministry was there. 

I am thankful to the strong women in the bible, like Hagar, Sarah, Tamar, Ruth, and Mary Magdalene.  Hagar was brave enough to name God, Sarah laughed, Tamar was witty and daring, Ruth committed herself in devotion and love, and Mary Magdalene was the first to proclaim the resurrections.  These women played an important role in the biblical story and I am grateful for their strength and courage. 

I am grateful for the strong and courageous women who have paved the way for me.  I am thankful for the strong and courageous women in the bible who despite their gender role in that time, did remarkable things.  Because of these women I will continue to fight for women.  I will speak truth to power.  No matter how far we may seem to have come, we have a long way to go. 

I am grateful for International Women’s Day.  I am grateful for a time to remember the remarkable women in history and the remarkable women of today.  I give God thanks for the strength and courage God has given these women and the strength and courage God has given me. 

Yours in Christ, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber