These are the bios, with links to more information, for those who are interested:
Argula von Grumbach
lived in Bavaria (now known as Germany) from 1492 until about 1554. Having received her own copy of the Bible at
the age of 10, she was an fierce advocate for reform based on her scriptural
studies. Von Grumbach’s first
publication was a letter in defense of a University of Ingolstadt student who
had been imprisoned for possessing illegal pamphlets promoting Reformation
theology. She viewed her public opposition as necessary when no one else would,
it appeared, speak up against this miscarriage of justice. Argula even
challenged the faculty to a debate on the doctrines in question! Von Grumbach’s husband was not supportive of
her activity. Even through he lost his
government job because he couldn’t control her, von Grumbach continued to
advocate for the Reformation.
Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen lived in Germany and then Sumatra, Indonesia
from 1834 to 1918. Nommensen was a
German Lutheran missionary to Sumatra who also translated the New Testament
into the native Batak language, embracing the spirit of the Reformation that
people should be able to read the Bible and worship in their native language. He
also helped establish schools, hospitals, and seminaries in Indonesia.
Jehu Jones
lived in Charleston, South Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1786 to
1852. Though his parents were enslaved,
they were freed, creating the opportunity for Jones to earn an education and a
living. With encouragement from his
pastor, Jones pursued a call to ministry and was ordained by the New York Synod
in 1832 and served as a mission developer of several congregations throughout
Pennsylvania. Although he faced racism,
which impacted the church finances and his ability to serve the church as God
was calling him, Jones persisted to follow God’s will.
Catharina von Bora Luther lived in Saxony (now known as Germany) from
1499 to 1552. Though she was a nun,
during the reformation, she left the convent and married Martin Luther. Not only did she care for Martin as his wife,
she also filled a role equivalent to managing a midsized business. Von Bora Luther ran the household finances,
business, family, and hospitality, prompting Martin to leave everything to her
in his will. Thanks to her education at
the convent, Katie and her husband also engaged in theological discussions
throughout their marriage.
Vine Deloria, Jr. was a member of the Yankton Sioux tribe and
lived from 1933 to 2005. As a professor
and activist, he worked legally and politically in support of treaty rights in
relationship with the u.s. government, promoted American Indian spiritual
traditions and religious freedom, and furthered Native American historic and
scientific thought. Deloria was a
prolific writer, educator, and advocate, challenging and deepening many deeply
held beliefs and theories.
Søren Kierkegaard lived in Copenhagen, Denmark from 1813 to
1855. He lived with depression
throughout his life, which informed his philosophical writings on the
importance of experiencing life rather than just describing it. Kierkegaard’s writings challenged the church
of his time, which he viewed as failing to embrace the costliness and risk of
following Jesus, and gave voice to the depths of despair and a mystic
experience of faith that resonates with many still today.
Katharina Schütz Zell lived in Strasbourg, on the border between
Germany and France from 1497 to 1562. As
one of the first women to marry a pastor, Schütz Zell was active in ministry as
a partner with her husband, visiting those who were sick or in prison and
supporting refugees during the Peasants’ War.
She was prolific in her writing and hymns, publishing the Hymnbook of the Bohemian Brethren in
1531.
Philipp Nicolai
lived in Germany from 1556 to 1608.
Serving as a pastor in various communities and advocating fervently for
what became known as Lutheranism, Nicolai is most remembered for his hymns. Two of his hymns, which survive in many hymnals
today are “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying,” and “Oh Morning Star! How Fair and Bright.”
Leoncia Rosado Rousseau, known as Mama Leo, was born in Puerto Rico in
1912 and came to New York City to live from 1935 to 2006. Rev. Rosado Rousseau birthed the Damascus
Christian Churches movement and ministered with people in the throws of
addiction and people living on the streets.
Even with little support from colleagues, her ministry inspired programs
for faith-motivated recovery programs and inspired Nicky Cruz, who went on to
establish TRUCE, a worldwide evangelistic ministry, and Jim Jimenez, pastor of
the Rock Church.
Marie Dentière
lived in Geneva, Belgium and Strasbourg, Germany from about 1495 to about
1561. As an abbess, when Dentière
learned about the Reformation, she left her position and encouraged other nuns
to leave as well. She and her husband
began a girls’ school and Dentière spoke out in both support and criticism of
her fellow reformers, gaining enough respect from John Calvin that she wrote
the preface for one of his sermons.
Leymah Gbowee
was born in 1972 in Liberia. In 2011
received the Nobel Peace Prize for her work for women’s safety, rights, and
full participation in peace-building in her country. Motivated by her faith, Gbowee organized
Christian and Muslim women to protest corruption in the government and end the
civil war and continues to advocate throughout the world.
Dag Hammarskjöld lived mostly in Sweden from 1905 to 1961. Serving in the financial and business sectors
in Sweden, he gained the knowledge and education to move into areas of
international political service as well, eventually becoming the
Secretary-General of the United Nations.
For his work with the United Nations, Hammarskjöld posthumously received
the Nobel Peace Prize.
Olympia Morata lived in Italy and Germany from 1526 to
1555. From even a young age, Morata
proved herself to be a scholar, even lecturing at the court of Ferrara in Greek
and Latin. Her scholarly endeavors
kindled deep faith so that even when she had to deny a position lecturing at a
university due to health concerns, she continued to write with deep theological
and faith convictions that influenced other reformers.
Elizabeth Fedde lived in what is now Oslo, Norway, New York
City, and Minneapolis from 1850 to 1921.
As a Norwegian Lutheran Deaconess, Fedde founded the Norwegian Relief
Society, a deaconess house and the hospital that became the Lutheran Medical
Center in Brooklyn. Moving to
Minneapolis, she founded another deaconess center and hospital that because
part of Hennepin County Medical Center, and continuing on to establish centers
of care for people throughout the country.
Darnell L. Moore was born in 1976 in Camden, NJ and lives in
Brooklyn, NY. As a fierce advocate
rooted in anti-racist, feminist, queer of color, and anti-colonial thought, in
connection with religion, Moore has presented at theological seminaries,
national conferences, and global settings.
Moore especially focuses on youth development and social justice from
marginalized communities in this country and throughout the world.
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