Francis Willard was one of the most renowned educators and social reformers in the 19th century. Willard is known for leading the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union as well as being the first Dean of Women at Northwestern University. She was an extreme advocate for women’s suffrage and temperance. With the help of Willard and the influence of her other peers, the Nineteenth Amendment was added to the Constitution. One controversial topic that Willard particularly raised awareness about was women preachers, or rather the lack thereof. In her book, Women In The Pulpit, Willard takes own her fellow Christian Americans and underline reasons why woman should be allowed to preach as well as disputing the negative stereotypes that excuse the “men can preach only” mentality.
Woman In the Pulpit
➢ Willard explains that traditional male exegesis (explanation) is flawed
• The church has a literal interpretation with the readings that pertain to women; similar to how “Christians” justified slavery
• Willard speaks of the hypocrisy of men in the church by outlining bible verses that men and pastors break all the time o “there is a specific command not to strike back when one is struck; not to go to law; to give to him that asketh; not to turn away from him that would borrow; and to suffer people to be divorced for one cause only; yet every one of these precepts coming from Christ himself is specifically and constantly violated by pastors and people, and without penalty” o 1 Cor. vii., Paul sets forth a doctrine that, literally interpreted, certainly elevates celibacy above marriage and widowhood above remarriage, but exegetical opinion does not coincide with the great Apostle, neither does the practice of the church, else not one of its adherents would be alive to state the fact ; nor have Protestant clergymen been known to manifest the least reluctance of conscience in performing the marriage ceremony in general, or in taking marriage vows upon themselves, nor has such reluctance become apparent when a widow was thereby involved in taking a second marriage vow.
• In 1 Tim. Ii 9, Paul says that he desires women to adorn themselves in modest apparel, and “ let a woman learn in
