Mary Ward

Mary Ward was a pioneering 17th-century English nun and educator who sought to reform and expand the role of women in religious life. She founded the Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary, dedicated to providing education for girls and promoting social justice. Ward emphasized personal faith and intellectual development, challenging the traditional restrictions placed on women in her era. Her work laid important groundwork for women’s education and religious involvement, and she is recognized as a forward-thinking figure who helped advance opportunities for women in participation and leadership within the Church and society.