Many today feel that women need to be freed from the secondary status traditionally imposed upon them by male dominated societies. Women themselves are not agreed on this issue—at one extreme bitterly resenting what they feel is a degrading image; at the other, clinging to what they see as a specially cherished status.
Helpful thoughts on the true nature of woman and her role can be found in a study of the life and writings of the Founder and Leader of the Christian Science movement. Even before women had been granted the right to vote, Mrs. Eddy established a worldwide religious movement, demonstrating not only selflessness and compassion but forceful leadership, immense wisdom, indomitable courage, unfailing strength, and mastery of physical limitations through spiritual dominion alone. And, too, largely without the benefit of a husband's or family's support, without unusual wealth or social status, political eminence, or special scholarship.
One of the ways in which the church organization she established is unique is that, except for the office of Committee on Publication, which she preferred to be filled by a man, she made no stipulation that major church positions be occupied by men. In speaking of the office of First Reader, she writes: "My preference lies with the individual best fitted to perform this important function." And in the same paragraph she continues, "What our churches need is that devout, unselfed quality of thought which spiritualizes the congregation." The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 249; Today, women as well as men serve as Readers, as members of executive boards; as lecturers, teachers, practitioners— in every major role of church participation.
