The history of women’s rights: A proud part of every Christian’s heritage

Feb 17, 2026

Though first defined by men who hated the very idea of feminism, the definition of feminism, even then—the example below is from a 1931 dictionary [a few years after women gained the right to vote]—and was defined as “advocating for women full equality with men in regard to political rights, working conditions, social standing, etc.: Propaganda on behalf of women’s rights.

Basic rights by most anyone’s definition today. But at the time, advocating for basic women’s rights was considered cultish and propaganda. Bad.

Among mainstream Christians today, equal liberty and autonomy for women with men is still taught as cultish propaganda that believers are warned will often bring disaster upon those who live and advocate for it. And this despite the fact that Jesus was the first feminist, and the history of women’s rights is filled with examples of great Christians—both women and men—who advocated for autonomy of the sexes.

The Bible is filled with clear statements about autonomy of the sexes. One example is: “We are ONE in Christ Jesus.” One means one. ONE in liberty. ONE in autonomy.

Where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty.

Though often slandered and libeled within mainstream, complementarian, churches, autonomous equality of the sexes should be proudly and widely taught among Christians. But to our shame and detriment, it is not.

Historical contributions made by Christian women who dared to step out of their “place,” have improved the lot of humanity and brought benefits that women, children, and men, enjoy up to this present time.

Many examples [in coming articles on this topic] will be taken from the book, Woman this is WAR! Gender Slavery and the Evangelical Caste System.

Excerpt from the 2nd Edition of, Woman this is WAR (Read the first three chapters free):
The history of women’s rights is a part of every Christian’s heritage and should be a proud part. Christian men as well as women, have raised their voices on behalf of “Woman’s Rights.” One of the most notable was runaway slave-turned-advocate and gifted orator, Fredrick Douglas.[1]

The Society of Friends, more commonly known as the Quakers, was the first Christian denomination to acknowledge, not only the equality of all people, but specifically the equality of men and women. Is it surprising then, that it was a Quaker who is credited by some as being the first feminist in the seventeenth century? And later on, in the eighteenth century, the first person to speak out against slavery in the United States was a woman and a Quaker. Still further on, in the nineteenth century, four of the five women who organized the first women’s rights conference in America were Quakers as well (the “Seneca Fall’s Woman’s Rights Convention” was a Christian event held in a Christian church).

[1] “Observing woman’s agency, devotion and efficiency in pleading the cause of the slave, gratitude for this high service early moved me to give favorable attention to the subject of what is called “woman’s rights” and caused me to be denominated a woman’s rights man. I am glad to say I have never been ashamed to be thus designated.” —Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, 1881

During the coming month (March is Women’s History Month), this column will feature articles about great Christians who relieved suffering while at the same time, by word and/or example, advocated for autonomy of the sexes.

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