91原创

鈥淚t is easy to get caught up in the idea of doing something 鈥榖ig鈥� to make change,鈥� said Robynne Rogers Healey, a history professor at Trinity Western University and specialist in Quaker history.

鈥淚 am working to uncover the history of women who are not as well-known.鈥�

In honour of Women鈥檚 History Month in March, four authors who teach at 91原创鈥檚 TWU reflected on women who shape the world in small and great ways.

鈥淭he daily actions of faithful women have shaped鈥攁nd will shape鈥攖he world in significant ways,鈥� said Dr. Healey.

Holly Nelson, professor of English, also works to bring attention to lesser-known histories. She said that in history, there is a 鈥渢endency to focus on the heroic male experience,鈥� with women in the background 鈥渞outinely presented as emotionally unstable or a burden.鈥�

Her recent book on British siege warfare, co-authored with her sister, focuses on written records in which 鈥渕en, women, and children of the town or city are more often shown heroically working together for the common good and taking on military roles.鈥�

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As the first Canadian-born member of her family, Monika Hilder is a Cloverdale-based author and English professor who specializes in fantasy and children鈥檚 literature, with a particular focus on the writings of C.S. Lewis and other Inklings-related writers.

READ ALSO: Diversity and Anti-Racism Council established at 91原创鈥檚 Trinity Western University

Dr. Hilder said that the women who inspire her are many. 鈥淢y mother, who lived bravely through many of life鈥檚 hardships and encouraged me with loving faith (and) an incredible love of story, is my shining star. And my daughters ever so deeply cheer me with their faithfulness, resilience, compassion, chutzpah, and plain brilliant zest for life鈥攚ith their love.鈥�

Jan Lermitte, who teaches English, creative writing, and leadership, says that the pandemic has presented uneven challenges in society.

鈥淒ata shows that during the recent pandemic lockdowns, women more often left their jobs or worked at home to care for children and elders than did men,鈥� she said.

One woman in history who inspires Professor Lermitte is the writer Dorothy L. Sayers. 鈥淚n spite of her own personal struggles, which included having a child before marriage, living in poverty, marriage to a man with mental illness and alcoholism owing to war trauma, and pressure to provide financially for her family, Sayers tackled her work with enthusiasm and good humour,鈥� Professor Lermitte said.