Presbyterian Women: A Part of Immigration History by Julia Thorne

Have you ever seen the bumper sticker that claims “Well-behaved women rarely make history”? This statement appears to be true when you recall the lives of many famous women. Some were leaders like Esther, Joan of Arc, Eleanor Roosevelt and Indira Gandhi. Others were made famous by their extraordinary acts: Rahab, Harriet Tubman, Florence Nightingale, Rosa Parks and Mother Teresa. These women were set apart from others because they went against societal expectations for women of their day. They engaged in activities that helped promote their beliefs, whether social, political or religious. They did what they thought was right, not only going against societal norms but sometimes even going against the law.

Women have a rich history of being involved in justice and compassion movements, and it is an honor to find ourselves in such a faithful heritage. As we seek to understand our role as Christian women addressing issues of immigration, we would do well to recall the mothers of our past, and think about what it means to be “well-behaved” followers of Christ.

Read the rest of this article to learn more about the Presbyterian women who followed Christ’s example of hospitality and compassion—Jean Rankin, who offered her home as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and Donaldina Cameron, who fought trafficking of Chinese women at the turn of the 20th century.

Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the September/October 2008 issue (HZN-08-240; $4 plus shipping).

Julia Thorne is pleased to be an "Immigration responder" for the PC(USA). She tries to behave well in her role as the manager of immigration issues and immigration in the Office of the General Assembly, Louisville, Kentucky.

Photo of Ohio abolitionists John and Jean Rankin with ten of their children, 1865, courtesy of Presbyterian Historical Society.

Other Articles Online This Issue

Devotional
Proclaiming Good News in the Midst of Bad
Presbyterian Women: A Part of Immigration History
Know Thyself: Why the U.S.A. Mission Experience?
Home Economics: Our Neighbors on Rio Grande Boulevard
Reflections
Ten Things You Should Know About the Immigration Legal System
Shifting Borders: Immigration in Eastern Europe
Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church
Health Connections
Faithful Parenting
Strengthening the PC(USA)


Read the rest of this article to learn more about the Presbyterian women who followed Christ’s example of hospitality and compassion—Jean Rankin, who offered her home as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and Donaldina Cameron, who fought trafficking of Chinese women at the turn of the 20th century. Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the September/October 2008 issue (HZN-08-240; $4 plus shipping).	Presbyterian Women: A Part of Immigration History by Julia Thorne Have you ever seen the bumper sticker that claims “Well-behaved women rarely make history”? This statement appears to be true when you recall the lives of many famous women. Some were leaders like Esther, Joan of Arc, Eleanor Roosevelt and Indira Gandhi. Others were made famous by their extraordinary acts: Rahab, Harriet Tubman, Florence Nightingale, Rosa Parks and Mother Teresa. These women were set apart from others because they went against societal expectations for women of their day. They engaged in activities that helped promote their beliefs, whether social, political or religious. They did what they thought was right, not only going against societal norms but sometimes even going against the law. Women have a rich history of being involved in justice and compassion movements, and it is an honor to find ourselves in such a faithful heritage. As we seek to understand our role as Christian women addressing issues of immigration, we would do well to recall the mothers of our past, and think about what it means to be “well-behaved” followers of Christ. Read the rest of this article to learn more about the Presbyterian women who followed Christ’s example of hospitality and compassion—Jean Rankin, who offered her home as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and Donaldina Cameron, who fought trafficking of Chinese women at the turn of the 20th century. Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the September/October 2008 issue (HZN-08-240; $4 plus shipping). Julia Thorne is pleased to be an "Immigration responder" for the PC(USA). She tries to behave well in her role as the manager of immigration issues and immigration in the Office of the General Assembly, Louisville, Kentucky. Photo of Ohio abolitionists John and Jean Rankin with ten of their children, 1865, courtesy of Presbyterian Historical Society. Other Articles Online This Issue Devotional Proclaiming Good News in the Midst of Bad Presbyterian Women: A Part of Immigration History Know Thyself: Why the U.S.A. Mission Experience? Home Economics: Our Neighbors on Rio Grande Boulevard Reflections Ten Things You Should Know About the Immigration Legal System Shifting Borders: Immigration in Eastern Europe Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church Health Connections Faithful Parenting Strengthening the PC(USA)	Current Issue SEPT/OCT 2008 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue to Horizons or call (866) 802-3635 the September/October 2008 issue, HZN-08-240 ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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