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Reviewed by: Lucille Marr

Through countless stories supplemented by intriguing snippets, Marlene Epp has shown the diversity and complexity of Mennonite women’s experiences and contributions to church and community life.

We read of the significance of women’s economic and social roles and their place, even though often constrained, in the churches. We read stories of women who preached, women who went overseas to serve as missionaries, women who supported their communities as midwives, women who were wives and mothers, as well as those who chose to live as singles, along with a myriad of other ways that women have contributed to community life.

Mennonite Women is a hefty read, but well worth it. Its insights provide an important resource for women’s groups for sure, but also for pastors, and for all lay leaders. It would be a good book club read, or even provide material for a short study, with its potential to help congregations better maneuver the complexities of the present with a fuller
understanding of the past.

Lucille Marr

Meet the Reviewer:

Lucille lives in Montreal and is a former pastor of Mennonite Fellowship of Montreal. She was educated at University of Waterloo where she earned a doctorate in history. She has a long history with the Mennonite Church and has also followed an academic career teaching and publishing in Mennonite history, Canadian history and women's studies. Currently she teaches church history at McGill University.

Lucille is the mother of André, currently living in Etobicoke, & Dora-Marie, who lives in Montreal.