“The century in which we are now living is unmistakably
woman’s. Today there is probably no profession, properly so called, to which
woman is not admitted, except that of the Christian ministry.
Under protest woman has entered many professions for
which she was not deemed qualified by man, but in which she has made good.
While we admit that all professional women have not always been successful
women, there are sufficient examples to prove that she is capable of attaining
the standards attained by men. Many examples might be quoted to prove this. . .
.
We believe that women’s ‘ability’ to qualify in any
profession where intelligence and spirituality are requirements is
indisputable. Sex, which was long considered a barrier to woman, has been
almost forgotten as a handicap, since the world war found her ready to attempt
anything, when the call was urgent and the need imperative. However, there are
several natural and conspicuous reasons why it should be felt undesirable to
call woman to this highest and most sacred office of the Christian Church.
With the exception of the medical profession, there is
none with such continuous hours. A minister must answer calls all hours of the
day and night and in all seasons of the year. It would not seem practical or
possible for women who are mothers to accept such an added physical responsibility
as this profession entails, nor is it acceptable to think that such a
profession, if open to women, should be left wholly to unmarried women. This
could possibly lead in time to a new form of celibacy.”
--Mrs. Blanche Dickens-Lewis, Synodical President of Home Missions for Ohio
March 24, 1920
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