Women as theological figures have played a significant role in the development of various religions and religious hierarchies. Throughout most of history women were unofficial theologians. They would write and teach, but did not hold official positions in Universities and Seminaries. Beginning in the second half of the twentieth century, women theological scholars began to be appointed to formal faculty positions at theological schools. Women are slowly being recognized as theological scholars. George Gallup Jr. wrote in 2002 that studies show women have more religiosity than men. Gallup goes on to say that women hold on to their faith more heartily, work harder for the church, and in general practice with more consistency than men.
Women theological scholars Catherine L. Albanese, American religious studies scholar, professor, lecturer, and author Delores S. Williams, American Presbyterian theologian notable for her formative role in the development of womanist theology Emilie Townes, American Christian social ethicist and theologian Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Romanian-born German Roman Catholic feminist theologian Elizabeth Schrader Polczer, American biblical scholar who concentrates on textual studies concerning Mary Magdalene, the Gospel of John, and the Nag Hammadi corpus Esther Mombo, is a Kenyan female theologian who researches church history with a focus on mission history, interfaith relations and theology, and gender studies with a focus on African women's theologies, sexuality, and HIV/AIDS. Hannah Kinoti, Kenyan-African feminist theologian, Ethicist, and Religious studies scholar, Member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. Jacquelyn Grant, American theologian and Methodist minister who is one of the founding developers of womanist theology Jamie T. Phelps, American Catholic theologian known for her contributions to womanist theology Joanna Macy, environmental activist, author, and scholar of Buddhism Joan E. Taylor, English historian of the Bible and early Christianity with special expertise in archaeology, and women's and gender studies. Karen Armstrong, British author known for her books on comparative religion Katie Cannon, American Christian theologian and ethicist associated with womanist theology and black theology Kelly Brown Douglas, African-American Episcopal priest, womanist theologian, and academic Letty M. Russell, American Christian feminist theologian who pioneered feminist ecclesiology Lydia Mwaniki, Kenyan post-colonial feminist theologian, ordained Anglican priest, advocate for gender justice, and author. Marta Benavides, El Salvadorian feminist religious leader Mary Getui, Kenyan theologian, founding member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians, and professor of Religious studies. Mercy Amba Oduyoye, Ghanaian theologian and founder of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians Monica Coleman, theologian associated with process theology and womanist theology Muriel Orevillo-Montenegro, Filipina theologian known for her writings in Asian feminist theology Musa Dube, a Motswana feminist theologian and Professor of New Testament M. Shawn Copeland, American womanist and Black Catholic theologian Nyambura Njoroge, Kenyan feminist theologian and ecumenical leader. Nyasha Junior, American biblical scholar focusing on the connections between religion, race, and gender within the Hebrew Bible Philomena Njeri Mwaura, is a Kenyan feminist theologian whose scholarship spans African Christianity, theological curriculum development, religion and gender, new religious movements, and Pentecostal-charismatic movements in Africa. Renita J. Weems, ordained minister, a Hebrew Bible scholar, and an author Rosemary Edet, Catholic nun, feminist theologian, co-founder of the Circle, and author. Rosemary Radford Reuther, American feminist theologian who helped define fields of Christian feminist and eco-feminist theology Sallie McFague, American feminist theologian, who emphasized God as mother in her theology Traci D. Blackmon, minister and spiritual leader involved in peaceful protests during unrest in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014 Wilda C. Gafney, American biblical scholar and Episcopal priest
Baháʼí Faith
In writings of the Baháʼí Faith, the Holy Spirit is often described as the "Maid of Heaven". Three women figure prominently in the history of the Baháʼí Faith: Táhirih, a disciple of the Báb; Ásíyih Khánum, the wife of Baháʼu'lláh; and Bahíyyih Khánum the daughter of Baháʼu'lláh. Táhirih and Bahíyyih, in particular, held strong leadership positions and are seen vital to the development of the religion. Several women played leading roles in the early days of the Baháʼí Faith in America. Among them are: May Maxwell, Corinne True, and Martha Root. Rúhíyyih Khanum and a mix of male and female Hands of the Cause formed an interim leadership of the religion for six years prior to the formation of the Universal House of Justice. Later prominent women include Patricia Locke, Jacqueline Left Hand Bull Delahunt, Layli Miller-Muro, and Dr. Susan Maneck, who herself wrote books documenting the role of women in the Baháʼí Faith.
Buddhism
Khema and Uppalavanna, the two chief female disciples of the Buddha Kisa Gotami Machig Labdrön, founder of the Tibetan practice of Chöd Maha Pajapati Gotami Pema Chodron, fully ordained Buddhist nun in the Tibetan Shambhala lineage. Ani Tenzin Palmo, nun in the Drukpa Kagyu lineage and founder of Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India Yeshe Tsogyal, Tibetan consort and disciple of the Padmasambhava Chandra Khonnokyoong, a Thai mae chi (nun) and meditation teacher
Christianity
In the New Testament Mary, mother of Jesus Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus' closest followers Lydia and Phoebe Mary of Bethany, sister of Lazarus and disciple of Jesus (sometimes misidentified with Mary Magdalene) Priscilla, teacher with her husband Aquila, partner with Apostle Paul Junia, female apostle of New Testament
In the Early Christian Church Thecla, disciple of Paul Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs Monica of Hippo Macrina the Younger Radegund (520–587), Frankish queen, ordained as a deaconess, established a convent Clotilde Hilda of Whitby, royal abbess in the 7th century Irene of Athens (c. 752–803), Empress who convened the 7th ecumenical council Kassia, 9th-century Eastern Orthodox nun, poet and hymnographer; sometimes referred to as St. Kassiani
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