Women forging the way

At a time when women in ministry positions was unheard of in most other churches, The Salvation Army in Sydney’s eastern beaches has hosted dozens of female Salvation Army officers. In fact, more than half of the Salvation Army officers appointed to eastern beaches Salvation Army corps (churches) in the first 20 years were single female officers, starting with Ensign Elisabeth Trenwith who founded Daceyville Salvation Army in 1915.

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 the place! The Salvation Army has always given equal rights to women, with the wife of the founder, Catherine Booth, a strong leader in her time. In Australia, women have risen to every leadership position within The Salvation Army – even General! Our beloved General Eva Burrows (pictured right) led the worldwide Salvation Army for seven years. She passed away earlier this year.