The Eucharist as Breastfeeding: Medieval Women Mystics and the Body of Christ
Julian of Norwich and Mechthild of Magdeburg used motherhood to describe divine power, from Christ feeding believers to a woman nourishing him.
Women worth knowing
All Stories
Extraordinary women, overlooked stories, and a more complete history. Explore the lives, ideas, and achievements that changed the world.
women’s religious writing
Women’s hymns, devotional poetry, mystical writings, and other religious texts across faiths and historical periods.
Meerabai the Poet: The Mystical Princess Who Defied Empire and Expectation
She chose spiritual devotion over royal expectations, expressing independence through poetry and song that challenged social hierarchies and carried her voice far beyond the palace.
4 Medieval Women Mystics
Women claimed spiritual authority through visions, writing, and religious communities, creating room for leadership and self-governance in a world that often dismissed their judgment.
Nana Asma’u: princess, poet, reformer of Muslim women’s education
She turned poetry into a powerful tool for women’s education, training traveling teachers who carried knowledge into communities and helped other women become educators.
Enheduanna, ancient high priestess
Her ancient hymns survived through generations of copying, preserving a woman’s literary voice and offering a rare window into the beginnings of written authorship.