The thirty-year anniversary of the ordination of women is a time to reflect on the role of women in the church, their contribution to the life of the church and the struggle for representation.
For a long time, the only ministry open to women was that of deaconess. The ministry of deaconesses arose in the 19th century from a recognised need to formally develop and promote the ministry of women, particularly in caring for the sick, the poor and needy (ADM).
Sister Dorothy Genders was born in 1892 in Launceston Tasmania. She was made deaconess in 1919 and travelled to Perth in 1928 to support those in need. At the invitation of the Archbishop, she went to St Bartholomew’s, East Perth, where she took responsibility for pastoral work in the absence of an incumbent rector (Birman).
Sister Genders also opened her home to those in need, buying a house next to her own cottage for destitute people. The rectory at St Bartholomew East Perth was turned into a refuge for deserted women and children, battered wives and prostitutes (Birman).
Sister Eileen Heath was ordained deaconess in 1938 and the first deaconess to be ordained in Western Australia. She went on to become the superintendent of St Mary’s Church of England Hostel, for Aboriginal children from remote communities in the Northern Territory (Anglican Church Diocese Perth). Sister Heath continued her work with Aboriginal communities up until her death in 2011.
Synod 1920, a petition was presented asking for the cooperation of the Synod in allowing women to be elected as church wardens and members of vestries. The bill passed without amendment (Western Mail). This followed the Lambeth resolution that women should be admitted to those councils of the Church to which laymen are admitted, and on equal terms. (West Australian)
The following year, women won the right to be elected to Synod with Edith Cowan MLA among the first to serve at Synod. The lively debate on the proposed change to the constitution was printed in the West Australian. Arguments against including, Churchwomen had enough to do already, it was never intended that a woman should stand on the same plane as a man (West Australian).
Despite some opposition, the motion passed after the third read. Archdeacon Moore was reported as saying women were asked to do all sorts of hard work for the Church, and they wanted to have a say in Synod. The attitude of women was no taxation without representation (West Australian).
References
Anglican Deaconess Ministries (ADM), (2014), History, Anglican Deaconess Ministries ADM ADM history (archive.org)
Birman, Wendy, (2006), Dorothy Edna Genders 1892-1978, Australian Dictionary of Biography Biography - Dorothy Edna Genders - Australian Dictionary of Biography (anu.edu.au)
Anglican Church Diocese of Perth, (n.d), Sister Eileen Heath, Anglican Church Diocese of Perth Sister Eileen Heath | Anglican Church Diocese of Perth
The Anglican Synod. The Archbishops Charge. Position of Women. (1920, July 21). Western Mail 21 Oct 1920 - THE ANGLICAN SYNOD. - Trove (nla.gov.au)
Anglican Synod. (1920, October 14). West Australian 14 Oct 1920 - ANGLICAN SYNOD. - Trove (nla.gov.au)
Anglican Synod. Women Granted New Right. (19201921, November 4). West Australian 04 Nov 1921 - ANGLICAN SYNOD. - Trove (nla.gov.au)
Images
2009/00025/031 Postcard - To Dear Deaconess Dorothy, with loving xmas wishes with love Doris. Taken after Holy Communion on Thursday 26th Nov 1936. Xmas 1936. Pictured Dorothy Genders, Eileen Heath and Doris.
(Reprinted from April 2022 Messenger)