In many instances the role of women in the church has not been as noteworthy as that of men. After all, it is mainly men who have preached, led church councils, and written theology. But frequently women have been overlooked even when they made outstanding contributions. “As so frequently happens in the writing of history,” writes Patricia Hill, “the women have simply disappeared.”1 Their role in religion down through the ages has been flagrantly neglected. And it continues to be neglected, despite