HERE'S TO WILD WOMEN!!!

I'm talking about the Medieval Christian women mystics.
Julian of Norwich
Bigitta of Sweden
Mechthild of Magdeburg,
Teresa of Avila
Clare of Assisi 
Hildegard of Bingen
Margery Kempe
To name a few.

These were strong, independent women who wanted more than domestic life.
Many entered the monastery where they could read and study and pray.
They wrote, they composed music, they founded and managed monasteries.
And they were passionate wild women.
At home with the intuitive and the practical.

As Carmen Acevedo Butcher says in the book A LITTLE DAILY WISDOM these women were "original, extreme, direct and frank".  They were risk takers.
No one had to tell them speak up to have impact. They left fortunes and approval to be their unique selves. Some were happily married with children multi-tasking family and spiritual work.  All served the poor and the sick in a hands on way. They were leaders. They got things done. They walked their own path when women didn't.

From--Clare of Assisi, letters-- (words of encouragement to other women)

What you hold, may you always hold.
What you do, may you always do.
Never abandon it.
With the swiftest, lightest steps
that stir no dust,
and on feet that don't stumble,
many you walk securely into the future
with joy and speed
along the path of wisdom, happy.

May your steps be practical and sure,
As the Spirit of the Lord calls you.

I am so enjoying reading their quotes. They pull no punches.
Nicely astringent when so much religious talk gets  soft and muddy.
Now, remember, they were passionately in love with God. Brazenly.
Medievally!!  
They must have driven people crazy!  Good for them.