By Rev. Lorrin Radzik*

March is Women’s History Month — a time when we honor the generations of women whose courage, creativity, and faith have shaped our communities, our church, and our world. This year holds special significance for us as United Methodists as we mark the 70th anniversary of ordination for women in our tradition.

From the earliest days of the church, women have been in ministry. From Mary Magdalene who was the first preacher of the resurrection, to figures in our own Methodist history such as Sojourner Truth, Mary Scranton, Jarena Lee, Anna Howard Shaw, Ella Niswonger, Helenor M. Davisson, and countless others who paved the way for the women coming after them. In 1956, The Methodist Church (one of the predecessor denominations of The United Methodist Church) officially granted women the right to be ordained, affirming the gifts and callings of women to lead in every sphere of ministry.

Seventy years later, women continue to serve faithfully as pastors, district superintendents, lay leaders, educators, deaconesses, social justice advocates, and in countless other roles across the church and the East Ohio Conference. Yet the work of equity, representation, and support continues — inspired by both our heritage and our calling.

Throughout East Ohio, your Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) invites you to celebrate these milestones in the following ways:

• Reflect on the generations that came before us. Give thanks for those who opened the doors of ministry to women and those who continue that legacy today.
• Celebrate the diverse gifts of women who serve in every setting of United Methodist life — lay and ordained.
• Plan worship to honor the 70^th Anniversary of Women’s Ordination between now and June. Be sure to check out the Worship Resources compiled by the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) for inspiration and tools you can use!
• Invite a woman to preach and lead! If you are in a congregation that doesn’t regularly have a woman preaching or presiding, consider inviting a lay or clergywoman to preach for at least one Sunday between now and June. (You could participate in a clergy pulpit swap, utilize the gifts of our amazing lay speakers, or ask Annual Conference staff and those serving in Extension Ministries.)
• Engage with the resources from GCSRW and connect with conference ministries that uplift women’s voices and leadership. Connect with United Women in Faith in your local church, your district, or the annual conference.
• Encourage one another toward deeper discipleship, mutual support, and equitable participation.

As we honor Women’s History Month and celebrate the 70^th anniversary of Women’s Ordination this year, may we be guided by gratitude for the past, boldness for the present, and hope for a future where all God’s children are affirmed in their call to serve.

*Rev. Lorrin Radzik is chair of the East Ohio Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women.