Dorothy Hazzard is recognised as a pioneer church planter who started Broadmead Baptist Church in Bristol

Mrs Attaway is recognised as a visionary whose preaching drew up to 1000 people

Anne Steele (1717-1778) was a prolific Baptist hymn writer, with her works being included in almost all hymnals published in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.  Anne felt her calling was as a poet and hymn writer and she devoted herself to these pursuits.

Hannah Marshman (1767-1847) is considered to be the first Baptist woman to be a missionary.  In 1799, Hannah and her family set sail for India landing at the Dutch colony of Serampore.  Within a year, she had opened two boarding schools.

Mary Ann Hearn (1834-1909) (better known as Marianne Farningham) was an English Victorian Baptist who was a hymn-writer, educationalist, journalist, and lecturer at a time when women were not expected to enter public life.  She was a keen supporter of educational movements, and in demand as a speaker at free church meetings, and as a lecturer.

Ellen Farrer (1865-1959) was one of the first women in England to qualify as a doctor.  In 1891, she applied for work as a missionary doctor with the Baptist Zenana Mission in Bhiwani, India where she took over a small dispensary in an Indian house.

Nannie Helen Burroughs (1879-1961) was born to a formerly enslaved couple living in Virginia, and became Secretary of the National Baptist Convention’s Women’s Auxiliary.  She spoke at a plenary session at the first Baptist World Alliance Congress in London, and was the final keynote speaker to a crowd of several thousand in Hyde Park, where she stole the show with a lively message, ‘The Triumph of Truth’.  She devoted her life to the education of black women.

Constance Coltman (1889-1969) was the first woman to be ordained into a mainstream denomination as a Congregational Minister. Constance studied theology at Mansfield College, Oxford – at that time a joint Congregational/Baptist college.

Edith Gates (1883-1962) began ministry in pastoral charge at Little Tew and Cleveley, aged 35.  Her ministry from that date was recognised by the Baptist Union.

Violet Hedger (1900-1992) entered Regent's Park College in September, aged 19, after commendation by her church and interview/examination in June 1919, becoming the first woman to be trained for ministry at a Baptist College.
 

Edith Chapman (1888-1970) pioneers girls’ education in South India amongst Lushai girls, and is joined by Marjorie Clark (1896-1966) in 1922.

Edith Gates qualified through BU Examination in September and was enrolled as a probationer by the Ministerial Recognition Special Committee 7 November 1922.

Maria Living-Taylor (1889-?) was called to a joint pastorate at Linton Road, Barking with her husband John in 1920, ordained and added to the Probationers list, 7 November 1922.

Annie Davies Lodwick (1897-1972) - Whilst many women had served as ‘lay preachers’ in Wales, Annie was the first woman in Wales to be ordained and called to serve as pastor of a church (in Pembrokeshire).

Violet Hedger was called to her first pastorate at Littleover Baptist Church, Derbyshire and ordained on 3 February.

Gwenyth Hubble (1906-1972) was admitted to Bristol Baptist College and ordained in 1939.  After ordination she went on to become Principal of Carey Hall, Selly Oak - the women’s training college.

Mair Bowen was the first woman student in the North Wales Baptist College in Bangor, entering in 1949. She went with her husband, Irfonwy Bowen, as a missionary to India, before serving as a pastor in North Wales and as a teacher.

Margaret Jarman (1932-2018) began training as a Baptist deaconess at Struan College (completing her studies at Carey Hall).  She went on to become the first woman student at Spurgeon’s College.  In 1963 she was appointed Organising Secretary for the Deaconess Department.  She was ordained in 1967 following the decision of Council to close down the vocation of deaconess.  Following her year as President of our Union in 1987, Margaret developed a ministry of leading retreats and spiritual direction and was called to the life of a hermit.

Marie Isaacs (1936-2016) was the first woman student to study at Regent’s Park College in Oxford.  Ordained in 1962, she went on to become a specialist in the books of Hebrews and James and served as Vice Principal of Heythrop College.
 

Marjorie Tissington (1922-?) – Having served with the Baptist Missionary Society in India from 1954, she was the first woman to train for ministry at Northern Baptist College.

Nell Alexander was the first woman to be appointed as President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

Margaret Jarman becomes the first woman minister to be appointed as President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

Caroline Eglin was commissioned into the Royal Navy as the first Baptist woman chaplain in the British Armed Forces.  Her 16-year naval career included a stint in a warship during the US-led invasion of Iraq.  She is currently a spiritual director.

Ruth Bottoms is appointed to represent the Baptist Union of Great Britain on the World Council of Churches

Birgit Elisabet Karlsson - This Swedish pastor is the first woman to be called as President of the European Baptist Federation.

Ruth Gouldbourne was appointed as Tutor in history and doctrine at Bristol Baptist College.

Kate Coleman is the first black woman to become an accredited Baptist minister within our Union. 

Pat Took is the first woman minister to be appointed Area Superintendent, serving in the Metropolitan area.  She takes on the role of Regional Minister Team Leader of the London Baptist Association in the restructure of the Union in 2002.  Following her retirement, Pat was called as President of our Union in 2011.

Myra Blyth - Having previously worked for the World Council of Churches, Myra is appointed Deputy General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.  After four years she takes up the role of Tutor in Worship and Pastoral Studies at Regent's Park College in Oxford.

Cham Kaur-Mann is the first Asian woman to become an accredited Baptist minister in the Baptist Union of Great Britain. 

Carol Murray is appointed as the first ordained female President of BMS World Mission

Ruth Bottoms is the first woman to be appointed Moderator of Baptist Union Council.

Kate Coleman was the first black woman minister to be appointed as President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

Nicola Thomas-Botwood was the first woman to be commissioned into the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department (RAChD).  Ministering to soldiers and their families, she provided spiritual support, pastoral care, and moral guidance to all, irrespective of religion or belief.  She accompanied soldiers wherever they went - which included two tours in Afghanistan as the Hospital and Bastion Camp Chaplain.

Catriona Gorton - becomes the first woman minister in pastoral charge in the Baptist Union of Scotland.

Anne Phillips was appointed the first female Principal of one of our Baptist Colleges

Lynn Green is the first woman minister to be appointed General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain

Jenni Entrican is elected President of the European Baptist Federation.  A former President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, she is only the second woman to assume the role.