7 important women of the Protestant Reformation

Marie Dentière

Born in 1495 to a noble family in France, Marie Dentière originally served as a prioress at an Augustinian convent before learning about the Reformation led her to leave the cloistered life.

Dentière focused on converting nuns to the Reformation cause, and wrote apologetic works in defense of Reformed theology, and even earned the respect of John Calvin, who at one point asked her to write the foreword for one of his printed sermons.

“In 2002, Marie Dentière became the only woman to have her name engraved on the famous Wall of Reformers in Geneva,” wrote Adrien Segal of Desiring God.

“There is no question she lacked what those of the time considered appropriate feminine modesty and humility, but because her passion was kindled by the pages of Scripture, her writing stirred and changed hearts not only in her own day, but in ours today, as well.”