Women. We are mothers, daughters and sisters. We are girlfriends, fiancées, lovers and wives. We feed, we scold, we argue and we love. We teach with great conviction and we learn with careful attention. We produce life and hold our babies with care and respect. We listen to others unload their problems. We offer solutions to insurmountable problems. We have ruled kingdoms, tempered nations, and advised the highest leaders. We have made progress on equality in voting, running for office, and joining the armed forces. Women are pop culture icons, from movie star Elizabeth Taylor to the controversial Madonna to the trailblazing Lady Gaga. Women are powerful forces behind men in power, and in doing so, become powers in their own right, like Hillary Rodham Clinton, Michelle Obama, and the indomitable Eleanor Roosevelt. Famous artists such as Georgia O'Keefe have become the embodiment of female expression. The list of influential women throughout history is endless. So, despite all this progress, what is the one position that, historically, women have never had the opportunity to occupy? Clergy. Just 15 years ago, women were not allowed to be active members of the clergy, such as ministers, bishops or priests. With all of our successes and progress, clergy should be the next logical step for women to be a part of and thrive. Many people can point out that women have always played an active role in the church community. Women organize bazaars and fundraisers. They care for the sick, tend to unruly children so everyone can enjoy the service in peace, and sing in the choir to lift their voices to God. Nuns are the most recognizable position women have held and they are esteemed middle of paper......and a prostitute. When he was resurrected after his death, to whom did he appear first? Mary Magdalene. Again, a woman. Thus, those who use the biblical text to defend against women in the clergy must also recognize our importance in shaping religious history. It is natural for women to exercise their beliefs before a competent congregation as leaders. And we, as a society, should continue to work to make this a reality. Works Cited (nd).Religious Sexism. (September 2011). Retrieved November 22, 2011 from Religious Tolerance: www.religioustolerance.comReuters. (November 13, 2011). Accessed November 22, 2011 on www.reuters.com: http://www.reuters.comPostma, G. (October 21, 2011). Women in ministry - 15 years later. The banner, p. 1.Zylstra, S. (2011, October). The Baptist Scholarship offers a cash incentive. Christianity today, p.. 1.