Women with broad shoulders

 

The Nunnery, Iona

Giving thanks today...

for all those women who paved a way

and on whose shoulders I have stood...

For Sarah and her laughter,

 Hagar who named God,

Rebekah the trickster

and Leah, the unloved

Athaliah, a queen with sass

and Jehosheba, the righteous one

Miriam, awesome sister

and Abigail, a prophet

Gomer, lover of men

and Bathsheba, creator of kings

Shiphrah and Puah, subversive midwives

Esther, the beautiful one

and Ruth, the faithful one

Naomi, the depressed

and Anna, the fulfilled

Dorcas and Martha, home makers and creators

Mary the willing

and Elizabeth, the wise

Julian, the passionate

and Hilda, the founder

Teneu, who birthed a saint,

Photini, who is one

Those of the past and those of the present

Wise women

Witches, hags and crones

Birthing communities

Birthing stories.

Birthing faith, hope and love

And blazing a trail for women

throughout the ages

throughout the world.

Liz Crumlish

author of Miriam's Sisters, Deborah's Daughters

Canterbury Press March 2025