Women Missionaries: A Gift to the Hurting

Women missionaries often serve through steady presence—listening, caring, and showing respect in everyday moments. Their work can be quiet, but it can also be deeply life-giving when someone feels forgotten.

The woman’s missionary movement in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries involved more than two million Protestant American women. These women supported and participated in international missions. This movement added thousands of single female missionaries to the global mission force. They served with courage and dedication.

The United Nations lists women and girls as one of the most vulnerable people groups of people in the world. That’s half of the planet’s population. Deep social and cultural prejudices and practices hurt them. That’s why women missionaries are so greatly needed in the world today.

“These are often among the most vulnerable members of society, and are at greater risk of economic hardship, exclusion and violence; discrimination against them is often compounded,” the UN reports.[1] In daily life, this can look like limited choices, unsafe work, or a lack of support when sickness or injury comes.

These staggering and heartbreaking statistics show the hurts and fears that millions of women face every single day. Women missionaries can go into these places as friendly faces of God. They can understand the fragile situations many women and girls live with.

Even small acts—like a safe visit, a shared meal, or help with a basic task—can remind someone she is seen. In many communities, a single female missionary can sit with a woman, hear her story, and offer simple help in a way that respects local customs.

According to Pioneers, about two-thirds of missionaries today are married couples. Of the remaining third, between 70 and 80 percent are single women. This means women make up the majority of the global mission field workforce.

The total number of active missionaries is difficult to know. People move often, and “missionary” can be defined in different ways. The International Bulletin of Mission Research estimates that 430,000 missionaries went out into the world from every Christian tradition in 2021. Historically, there have been more women in missions than men, including both married couples and single women.[4] Because definitions vary, it may help to focus on what stays the same: faithful service, patient relationships, and consistent care.

Historical records show that women missionaries outnumbered men as early as the 19th century. In studies from the early 1900s, researchers found that women made up 57 to 64 percent of foreign missionaries. This pattern has continued. Today, 70 to 80 percent of single missionaries are women.

Across the wider missionary movement, readers often remember women such as Mary Slessor, Ann Judson, Elisabeth Elliot, and Lottie Moon. History has also held hard seasons—disease, displacement, and wars like World War II—when steady care mattered even more. Stories shared across the United States have sometimes helped people pray, give, and care for long-term service beyond their own communities. Lottie Moon, remembered as a Southern Baptist missionary, is one example of someone whose letters urged practical support for mission work.[6]

Mary Slessor served in West Africa for over 40 years. She worked to end harmful practices and shared the Good News in Nigeria. She learned local languages and gained trust. Ann Judson was one of the first American women to serve overseas as a missionary. She partnered with her husband in difficult conditions. Their work opened doors for future generations.

Elisabeth Elliot is known for her courage and forgiveness. After her husband was killed, she returned to serve the same people. She showed Christ’s love through her actions. Lottie Moon served in China for 40 years. She advocated for women in missions. Her legacy continues today through the annual Christmas offering named in her honor.

Widows in South Asia can find themselves in some of the worst conditions possible. They work as long as they can, but age, hard labor and injury can weaken them quickly. Then they must rely on family members, who may or may not be willing or able to help. When support disappears, everyday needs can become heavy—and loneliness can settle in. Consistent visits can help restore hope and a sense of belonging.