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50 Women Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Heroines of the Faith
Throughout history, countless women have boldly stepped out in faith and courage, leaving their indelible mark on those around them and on the kingdom of God. In lively prose Michelle DeRusha tells their stories, bringing into focus fifty incredible heroines of the faith. From Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, and Anne Hutchison to Susanna Wesley, Harriet Tubman, and Corrie ten Boom, women both famous and admirable live again under DeRusha's expert pen. These engaging narratives are a potent reminder to readers that we are not alone, the battles we face today are not new, and God is always with us in the midst of the struggle.
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2014
459 people are currently reading
1827 people want to read
About the author
Michelle DeRusha
7 books158 followersA Massachusetts native, Michelle DeRusha moved to Nebraska in 2001, where she discovered the Great Plains, grasshoppers the size of Cornish hens ... and God. She writes about finding and keeping faith in the everyday at http://michellederusha.com, as well as for the Lincoln Journal Star and The High Calling.
She's mom to two bug-loving boys, Noah and Rowan, and is married to Brad, an English professor who reads Moby Dick for fun.
She's mom to two bug-loving boys, Noah and Rowan, and is married to Brad, an English professor who reads Moby Dick for fun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
January 24, 2019
I have mixed feelings about this book. First of all, I think that the author should have titled his book as "50 Great/Revolutionary Historic Women That Lived". I am truly curious to know how author defines a 'devout Christian', since she labels some of her heroines as such which in my opinion were not. This book gave a very brief story of each of 50 women who were from different denominations. I would say that third of women mentioned were Catholic who performed weird rituals, over spiritualize things, and had crazy visions that some of them experienced either after mental trauma (some sort of disease) or drugs.
Most women experienced a tragedy, usually a death of a child, and to numb the pain they had decided that God did that to them because He wanted their attention to care for the poor, sick and etc. I am actually questioning some of these women's faiths' because some things they did were really unbiblical. For example, leaving husband and kids behind because God told this particular woman to run away.
Almost all women mentioned share the same characteristics: strong willed women that decided to do what they thought was right who became preachers, women's rights movement activists, political activists that went against the norms of the society at that time and all suffered from deep depression and anxiety (because no one supported their enthusiasms), and some even either though of or tried to commit suicide. You may even call most of these women were rebellious and feminists (in traditional sense of that word). Most of women were led by their emotions and not the Bible or God. But all of these women left something huge behind them. Things that were able to accomplish are amazing!
I am a little bit disappointed in this book. The title is very misleading. I expected to read about women who were 'faith giants' and not women who did great things and just happened to be Christians.
Most women experienced a tragedy, usually a death of a child, and to numb the pain they had decided that God did that to them because He wanted their attention to care for the poor, sick and etc. I am actually questioning some of these women's faiths' because some things they did were really unbiblical. For example, leaving husband and kids behind because God told this particular woman to run away.
Almost all women mentioned share the same characteristics: strong willed women that decided to do what they thought was right who became preachers, women's rights movement activists, political activists that went against the norms of the society at that time and all suffered from deep depression and anxiety (because no one supported their enthusiasms), and some even either though of or tried to commit suicide. You may even call most of these women were rebellious and feminists (in traditional sense of that word). Most of women were led by their emotions and not the Bible or God. But all of these women left something huge behind them. Things that were able to accomplish are amazing!
I am a little bit disappointed in this book. The title is very misleading. I expected to read about women who were 'faith giants' and not women who did great things and just happened to be Christians.
September 16, 2014
My prediction: Instant classic.
Starting from the first page of the first woman, readers learn Hildegard of Bingen was the tenth child in her family, and she was dedicated to the church as a tithe when she was only eight years old. WOW!
Michelle DeRusha gives readers a good look into each woman's life by highlighting unique facts and pointing us straight back to our great big God.
If I could give this book six stars I would.
Starting from the first page of the first woman, readers learn Hildegard of Bingen was the tenth child in her family, and she was dedicated to the church as a tithe when she was only eight years old. WOW!
Michelle DeRusha gives readers a good look into each woman's life by highlighting unique facts and pointing us straight back to our great big God.
If I could give this book six stars I would.
March 14, 2017
Not all of these women were representative of biblical Christianity....too liberal of a perspective, no respect for the lenses of Scripture
September 16, 2014
Today in my quiet time, I asked God for some wisdom and uplifting words to soothe my weary soul. After meditating on some scriptures, I felt led to my bookshelf where Michelle's book sat. I skimmed the table of contents, wanting instantly to absorb the wisdom of these women's lives. I asked God which woman I should read about today and was led to Ruth Graham Bell. When my eyes found this quote, my heart leapt. I knew this was the piece God wanted to use to help my downtrodden heart: "Make the least of all that goes and the most of all that comes. And keep looking forward. Don't look backwards." I am incredibly grateful for this book, as it gives us access to women who have gone before us and we are able to bring them into our present communities. Though their bodies are no longer with us, their wisdom remains alive within these pages.
April 27, 2021
While most of the selections are women most Christians admire, a few make you scratch your head and ask why she included them--even after she explained her reasoning. A couple of the included women were not Christians; therefore, they cannot be a "heroine of the faith." The author included information on each women, but in some cases, her story mostly came from a single source. In other cases, she drew from varied sources. Some selections interested me more than others. I read two sketches per day most days until I finished the book. I did not want to draw it out 50 days. I found that to be a good pace.
October 9, 2022
Very interesting listing of fifty noteworthy women in the history of Christianity, many of whom have not received the recognition they deserve for the advances they made in education, social justice and just generally making the world a better place.
September 13, 2014
I really thought I would love this book, especially with the advanced praise it has received by so many people that I highly respect. However, I have to admit I didn’t like this book. It was a great historical reference but it definitely wasn’t something I would read for pleasure the way I had thought it would be. I had expected a book that helped me to tie my life to those through history and to feel encouraged by these 50 women, yet it felt a lot like I was reading a text book and I struggled to retain the information in it.
As a resource I think this book would make an excellent addition to your shelf, but I don’t recommend it as anything more than a text book.
As a resource I think this book would make an excellent addition to your shelf, but I don’t recommend it as anything more than a text book.
April 25, 2021
My husband and I read and discussed this book together. We really loved learning about women through history who have impacted the Christian faith in some way. Each woman gets a short chapter of 8-10 pages. There were several women with absolutely fascinating stories, and a few whose inclusion confused us.
Overall a great read, perfect for discussing.
Overall a great read, perfect for discussing.
March 11, 2015
So this actually ended up being better than I feared. i.e. that it was going to try to stuff all of history into a tiny little modern evangelical box. But I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of a diverse group, protestants, Catholics (even modern ones), early Unitarians and even some holiness/pentecostal types around the early 1900's.
To be honest, some of the early ones came off as sounding crazy / going through some kind of midlife crisis, (but my atheist husband would most likely say that there is a very line between faith and insanity anyway...).
Ultimately this book kind of made me sad. It seemed that throughout history, Christian women were concerned with the disenfranchised, the poor, the needy, the marginalized of society, and I feel that somewhere along the lines (especially in America) Christianity became the thing DOING The marginalizing. It's the very reason why I not only do not attend any kind of church, but that I rarely admit out loud to any but my very closest friends and family any kind of faith or belief.
The entries that I found most interesting, were those women that I had never heard of: Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Simone Weil & Josephine Butler. But as always I am particularly drawn to stories of women who go against the status quo to do what they think is right.
To be honest, some of the early ones came off as sounding crazy / going through some kind of midlife crisis, (but my atheist husband would most likely say that there is a very line between faith and insanity anyway...).
Ultimately this book kind of made me sad. It seemed that throughout history, Christian women were concerned with the disenfranchised, the poor, the needy, the marginalized of society, and I feel that somewhere along the lines (especially in America) Christianity became the thing DOING The marginalizing. It's the very reason why I not only do not attend any kind of church, but that I rarely admit out loud to any but my very closest friends and family any kind of faith or belief.
The entries that I found most interesting, were those women that I had never heard of: Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Simone Weil & Josephine Butler. But as always I am particularly drawn to stories of women who go against the status quo to do what they think is right.
June 18, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed from cover to cover. In short chapters, some maybe only spanning 3 to 5 pages, DeRusha was able to provide an intimate window into the lives of these women. I'm astounded by how quickly she could draw me into each individual story. While encompassing the beautiful and glorious, as well as the raw and tragic and sometimes shameful aspects, the lives and work of these women were honored.
DeRusha selected many "flavors" of Christian women to include in her collective biography. Their walks of faith, their denominations and doctrinal subscriptions vary greatly from chapter to chapter. This book isn't called, "50 Women Every Christian Should Agree With," and that's mostly what I enjoyed about it. It introduced me to women whose works I may not have otherwise sought out (it has certainly lengthened my "to-read" list!). This book demonstrates the multitude of ways that God works through his people, lest we fall into the temptation to believe God only works the way we understand or through people who check off a certain list of qualities and ideologies. Some of the women were quiet, some were loud; some served their households, some gave up their homes; some were scholars, speakers, servants. There are many ways labor for God's kingdom. Fascinating, edifying, inspiring.
DeRusha selected many "flavors" of Christian women to include in her collective biography. Their walks of faith, their denominations and doctrinal subscriptions vary greatly from chapter to chapter. This book isn't called, "50 Women Every Christian Should Agree With," and that's mostly what I enjoyed about it. It introduced me to women whose works I may not have otherwise sought out (it has certainly lengthened my "to-read" list!). This book demonstrates the multitude of ways that God works through his people, lest we fall into the temptation to believe God only works the way we understand or through people who check off a certain list of qualities and ideologies. Some of the women were quiet, some were loud; some served their households, some gave up their homes; some were scholars, speakers, servants. There are many ways labor for God's kingdom. Fascinating, edifying, inspiring.
September 23, 2014
50 Women Every Christian Should Know
Michelle DeRusha Baker
Books Baker Books
Pub Date Sep 16 2014
This book gives you a glimpse into the lives of fifty great Christian woman, and shows us a bit of how they impacted the Christian faith. This is the brief stories of women who were willing to stand up for what they believed in some even risking their lives.
If you like reading true life stories of Women who made a difference in the Christian faith everyone from Hildegard to Ruth Bell Graham this is a book you will want to add to your library.
I give this book five out of five stars...
Happy Reading...
Michelle DeRusha Baker
Books Baker Books
Pub Date Sep 16 2014
This book gives you a glimpse into the lives of fifty great Christian woman, and shows us a bit of how they impacted the Christian faith. This is the brief stories of women who were willing to stand up for what they believed in some even risking their lives.
If you like reading true life stories of Women who made a difference in the Christian faith everyone from Hildegard to Ruth Bell Graham this is a book you will want to add to your library.
I give this book five out of five stars...
Happy Reading...
September 11, 2018
This book isn’t for me. I couldn’t finish reading it because some ladies were not so into Christ as the writer puts it. I was hoping to read a book filled with women who were devout Christians and evident in their families.
I respect some of the women mentioned but others, I’m not so sure. I’ll pass
I respect some of the women mentioned but others, I’m not so sure. I’ll pass
December 12, 2018
This is a straight forward book that presents sketches, including good and bad, of high profile women over the centuries. I found some chapters inspiring and others depressing. I gave 3 stars because the title is a bit misleading by claiming all these women were orthodox Christians. Some of the women chosen for this book were probably heretics or at least flirting with heretical theology.
March 2, 2020
I struggle to label this as "Christian" because I felt several were heretics. This was a struggle to read because it was very textbook-like. I kept plowing forth, but finally stopped halfway through.
June 4, 2025
Inspirational and thought-provoking reading. There were certainly some interesting choices in the women - I read another review which said that you might wonder if all were saved, but that they were certainly ardent believers in their faith as well as products of their time; an excellent way to put it.
There were more well-known women such as Susanna Wesley, Corrie Ten Boom and Mother Teresa, and writers including Dorothy L. Sayers (one of my favourites!) and Madeline L'Engle, and the mini biographies was very frank about what all the women achieved / believed but also in depicting any failings.
There were more well-known women such as Susanna Wesley, Corrie Ten Boom and Mother Teresa, and writers including Dorothy L. Sayers (one of my favourites!) and Madeline L'Engle, and the mini biographies was very frank about what all the women achieved / believed but also in depicting any failings.
February 4, 2017
This is a most valuable book for Christian women to read as encouragement
from sisters of the faith. It offers a strong motivation to "go forth despite your fear or hesitation." The writing is objective and non-judgmental. I really enjoyed the vast assortment of Christian women through the ages.
from sisters of the faith. It offers a strong motivation to "go forth despite your fear or hesitation." The writing is objective and non-judgmental. I really enjoyed the vast assortment of Christian women through the ages.
June 20, 2018
This is a collection of concise biographies of fascinating women of faith. I enjoyed it very much!
February 7, 2021
A good collection of the lives of Heroines of Faith. This is the first time I've heard the names of many women featured in this book.
"They have endured trials for Jesus Christ". This statement is apt for all 50 women.
Definitely a re-read.
"They have endured trials for Jesus Christ". This statement is apt for all 50 women.
Definitely a re-read.
January 26, 2018
Some I questioned why they were put in the book but it was really interesting! I learned a lot! definitely one that I will read again as well as read more about these women individually.
November 7, 2014
In her book, 50 Women Every Christian Should Know, Michelle DeRusha writes brief biographies of women who impacted their societies and cultures. Each profile is five to seven pages long and summarizes these significant women who lived from the Middle Ages to the present day. Highlighting each woman’s life and beliefs within their historical contexts, 50 Women is not a critique of their various theological viewpoints. It is, however, helpful in educating the reader about the lives of influential women who may have been overlooked.
50 Women Every Christian Should Know is useful in filling gaps in Christian history. The biographical and historical information is interesting and informative. The profiles of Katharina Von Bora, Fanny Crosby, Edith Schaeffer, and Flannery O’Conner are especially enjoyable. However, the work lacks depth. Some of the women discussed dabbled in mysticism and entertained theological error. There seems to be an absence of biblical and political discernment throughout. No doubt each woman had an impact on her society, but there is too much ecumenical emphasis. These women deserve to be known, but are not on equal theological footing. Not without historical value, 50 Women should be read with caution in mind.
I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
50 Women Every Christian Should Know is useful in filling gaps in Christian history. The biographical and historical information is interesting and informative. The profiles of Katharina Von Bora, Fanny Crosby, Edith Schaeffer, and Flannery O’Conner are especially enjoyable. However, the work lacks depth. Some of the women discussed dabbled in mysticism and entertained theological error. There seems to be an absence of biblical and political discernment throughout. No doubt each woman had an impact on her society, but there is too much ecumenical emphasis. These women deserve to be known, but are not on equal theological footing. Not without historical value, 50 Women should be read with caution in mind.
I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
May 29, 2015
Michelle DeRusha has written an informative book. I particularly appreciated some of the biographies stretching back in history, despite the difficulty of researching reliable and detailed information. Michelle's introductory and concluding paragraphs gave an insight into her thoughts on the contribution of each woman. Interestingly, I happened to be reading Geoffrey Blainey's 'A Short History of Christianity' at the same time so it was great to hear about the contributions of women when so much of Christian (and indeed secular) history is about men.I was impressed by the great variety of expressions of faith, reminding us there is no one formula to having a personal faith and indeed the expression of it. The book is also a great 'taster' and I hope to read some detailed biographies of some of the women mentioned that I hadn't heard of before.
October 15, 2015
A great overview of the lives of Christian women and their contributions to the world over the years. As one who has read a TON of biographies of Christian women since childhood, I was happy to discover many "new to me" women in this book. Each chapter is about three pages long and is a brief look into the woman's life, struggles, and legacy. I love that she covers Catholics, Protestants, and those who would not fall into either category. I discovered the lives of many women I've heard of--and even seen paintings of--but did no know their stories, like Catherine of Siena and Teresa of Avila. And I've been inspired to read more detailed biographies on Dorothy Sayers and Flannery O'Connor.
September 15, 2014
In 50 Women Every Christian Should Know, author Michelle DeRusha introduces us to ordinary women who influenced generations with their extraordinary faith and determination. Michelle tells each woman’s story, sharing her struggles and doubts, and then draws insight from each woman that inspires us to press on in our own journeys of faith.
Engaging, informative and delightful to read, 50 Women is a must-have for every resource library.
Engaging, informative and delightful to read, 50 Women is a must-have for every resource library.
October 17, 2017
If you want to be inspired ...please read this book.
This women are extraordinary women, way ahead of their time. With love in their hearts, devotion to Christ and compassion for humanity, they dedicated their lives to do good and sacrificed their comfort and self interests to improve others lives. And because of them we women have opportunities that we do now.
I am grateful for their courage, strength, commitment to make life better for all. God rest their souls.
This women are extraordinary women, way ahead of their time. With love in their hearts, devotion to Christ and compassion for humanity, they dedicated their lives to do good and sacrificed their comfort and self interests to improve others lives. And because of them we women have opportunities that we do now.
I am grateful for their courage, strength, commitment to make life better for all. God rest their souls.
December 22, 2014
DeRusha includes accounts of women I had never heard of, as well as a handful of familiar faces. With the sharing of each women's story the reader gleans valuable treasures to take with her on her own faith journey. The common thread throughout this book is the commitment and conviction of these 50 women to stay the course set before them.
April 30, 2020
By far the best book I read in 2018. In my option every believer should read this book. So many great and amazing women of faith who have contributed, loved well, and in many cases, their stories have been largely unheard by most believers because of their gender. I am so inspired and grateful for the contribution for so many of these women.
August 2, 2016
It was a very fascinating read and I loved learning about amazing christian women throughout history who normally are overshadowed by christian men. However, it got kind of repetitive towards the end. I recommend reading it but I wouldn't read it more than once.
February 15, 2018
Heroines of Faith
Good mini-biographies revealing the lives of 50 women who made a difference to society. Many I knew about; some I did not. Each of them lived out their faith and were dedicated to serving the Lord.
Good mini-biographies revealing the lives of 50 women who made a difference to society. Many I knew about; some I did not. Each of them lived out their faith and were dedicated to serving the Lord.
May 22, 2017
This is an amazing book I will be referring to in the future.
July 13, 2020
Read this for our church group. I learned a lot and it gave us a lot to discuss. Not one I would just pick up and read though!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews