Women forging the way
At a time when having women in ministry leadership positions was unheard of in most other churches, The Salvation Army in Queanbeyan hosted dozens of single female Salvation Army officers. An early Salvation Army Corps Officers Roll shows that half of the officers listed as heading The Salvation Army in Queanbeyan from 1885 to 1902 were women. Ordaining women was a revolutionary concept at the time, so these women were real pioneers and must have experienced an odd look or two around town! In 1902, Lieutenant Mabel Connell wrote this report for The Salvation Army’s War Cry newspaper: We have three faithful soldiers here who help us whenever they can get along to the meetings. We do not mind standing alone on Saturday night, because we realise God is with us. Lieutenant Kroenert is completing her education rapidly, and already has learned to harness and drive the horse. Almost every day we find our way to some little bush township or farmhouse, where there is someone to whom we can speak a word for the Master …
