Women in British Nonconformity, circa 1880-1920, with special reference to the Society of Friends, Baptist Union and Salvation Army
The reclamation and analysis of women's experiences within three Nonconformist denominations is the focus of this thesis. The first chapter places each denomination in its social and theological context, and describes its governing structures. The bulk of the thesis is devoted to situating women within this context and examining the ways in which women sought representation within male-dominated governing structures. Chapter two examines the conflict between Friends' egalitarian theology and women's lack of governing power. Although women Friends gained access to the governing body of the Society, the issue of equality remained problematic. The chapter finishes with a discussion of the Society's split over women's suffrage. The Baptist Zenana Mission is the focus of the third chapter. Zenana missionaries claimed spiritual and imperial authority over ~native~ women and used the languages of separate spheres to carve out a vocation for single women in keeping with denominational norms. In so doing, they marginalised the work done by missionary wives. The fourth chapter begins with an examination of the life and theology of Catherine Booth, whose contribution to the Salvation Army is often neglected. Catherine
Lauer, Laura Elizabeth
Women in church work--Great Britain--History ; Quaker women--Great Britain--History ; Dissenters--Great Britain--History ; Christian women--Great Britain--History ; Baptist women--Great Britain--History ; Salvation Army--Great Britain ; Women in church work--Protestant churches ; army ; Society ; Quakers ; Dissenters ; British ; Quaker ; Union ; Protestants ; church ; Nonconformity ; Salvation ; Friends ; churches ; women ; Baptist
Women in British Nonconformity, circa 1880-1920, with special reference to the Society of Friends, Baptist Union and Salvation Army. The reclamation and analysis of women's experiences within three Nonconformist denominations is the focus of this thesis. The first chapter places each denomination in its social and theological context, and describes its governing structures. The bulk of the thesis is devoted to situating women within this context and examining the ways in which women sought representation within male-dominated governing structures. Chapter two examines the conflict between Friends' egalitarian theology and women's lack of governing power. Although women Friends gained access to the governing body of the Society, the issue of equality remained problematic. The chapter finishes with a discussion of the Society's split over women's suffrage. The Baptist Zenana Mission is the focus of the third chapter. Zenana missionaries claimed spiritual and imperial authority over ~native~ women and used the languages of separate spheres to carve out a vocation for single women in keeping with denominational norms. In so doing, they marginalised the work done by missionary wives. The fourth chapter begins with an examination of the life and theology of Catherine Booth, whose contribution to the Salvation Army is often neglected. Catherine
women british nonconformity circa special_reference society friends baptist union salvation_army reclamation analysis woman_experience within nonconformist denomination focus_thesis first_place denomination social theological context describe govern structure bulk devote situate woman within_context examine_way woman seek representation within male_dominated govern structure two_examines conflict friends egalitarian theology woman lack govern power although woman friends gain_access govern_body society issue equality remain_problematic finish discussion society split woman_suffrage baptist mission focus third chapter missionary claim spiritual imperial_authority native woman use language separate sphere carve vocation single woman keep denominational norm marginalise work missionary wife fourth begin_examination life theology whose salvation_army often_neglect