Women Who Set the World on Fire

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”  These ancient words hold a challenge: a promise of a life that matters, a future of purpose and influence.  

But first, the question: Who does God mean me to be?  Who does God mean you to be?

In this special episode of the Vintage Saints and Sinners Podcast, Karen Wright Marsh tells the stories of four girls, born across the centuries, who grew up to be women who set the world on fire, each in her own way.

Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)  

Born in medieval Italy, a time when girls were barred from education and married off young, Catherine resisted expectations, fueled by a fire to serve others and to speak truth.

Amanda Berry Smith (1837-1915)

Born enslaved in America, Amanda survived poverty and prejudice to live out her fire to preach the Gospel, travelling from England to Liberia to India and beyond.

Mary Paik Lee (1900-1995)

Born to educated, Christian parents in Korea, Mary and her family were forced to emigrate to the United States, where harsh racist laws and attitudes prevented them from flourishing.  Still, Mary was fired to survive for the sake of herself and future generations. 

Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)

Born the tenth child of an aristocratic German family, Hildegard was donated to the church at the age of eight.  After decades of enclosure, Hildegard’s fiery mystical visions led her out to lead, to create, to teach, to heal, to preach and to compose poetry and chant for a new community of women.