Women Worth Knowing

A brilliant Sanskrit scholar, Ramabai Donge earned the title "Pandita" as a twenty-year-old orphaned woman in 1878 India. Determined to follow in her Hindu father's belief that women could be scholars, Ramabai used her fame to argue for the education of women. along with the need for female physicians. Widowed four years later with a baby, she met Christians who introduced her to the Bible, encouraged her to speak about women's needs, and helped her to travel to England. Baptized in England, Pandita Ramabai received university training with the aim of advancing Indian women's opportunities. Traveling to America, she visited educational models, particularly kindergartens, and returned to India to open a school for child widows, needy women, and orphans. During this time, she wrote Testimony, which confirmed her Christian beliefs and joy that Jesus loved women just as much as men. Within a few years, her school grew, and she established the Mukti Mission outside of Bombay, where the mission provided education, vocational training, and a profound Christian witness. As famine swept India in the early 20th century, Ramabai ultimately collected nearly 3000 needy women and children to the mission--which is still helping educate needy women and children today. Pandita Ramabai sparked a Christian revival in 1905 and spent the last fifteen years of her life translating the entire Bible into the Marathi language--one of the major Indian dialects. She died in 1922. The Indian government honored her contribution to the education of women in 1984 with a postage stamp.

Jamell is one of the most fascinating guests that I have ever had the pleasure to interview on Women Worth Knowing. Jamell grew up in the ghetto of Chicago not knowing it was the ghetto. She had good parents and a strong since of family, however, there was an emptiness that she felt. Going to church with a friend when she was sixteen, Jamell realized that the answer to her emptiness was the fullness of God. She gave her life to Jesus Christ that first Sunday at church and never looked back! The very next week she was baptized and met James Meeks, a sassy, handsome sixteen years old that immediately asked the newly baptized Jamell out. On one of their first dates, James confessed to Jamell that he and his whole life were fully dedicated to the service of Jesus Christ. Rather than scaring Jamell off, Jame’s confession drew her in. They both committed their lives to the service of Jesus and then to each other. Engagingly, Jamell shares with me how she and James were led to start Salem Baptist Church of Chicago in the midst of the ghetto. Hear the stories of what God has done with their lives and in the lives of others. If you’re needing to hear about the wonders God is doing today, then you won’t want to miss either episode with Jamell.

Jamell is one of the most fascinating guests that I have ever had the pleasure to interview on Women Worth Knowing. Jamell grew up in the ghetto of Chicago not knowing it was the ghetto. She had good parents and a strong since of family, however, there was an emptiness that she felt. Going to church with a friend when she was sixteen, Jamell realized that the answer to her emptiness was the fullness of God. She gave her life to Jesus Christ that first Sunday at church and never looked back! The very next week she was baptized and met James Meeks, a sassy, handsome sixteen years old that immediately asked the newly baptized Jamell out. On one of their first dates, James confessed to Jamell that he and his whole life were fully dedicated to the service of Jesus Christ. Rather than scaring Jamell off, Jame’s confession drew her in. They both committed their lives to the service of Jesus and then to each other. Engagingly, Jamell shares with me how she and James were led to start Salem Baptist Church of Chicago in the midst of the ghetto. Hear the stories of what God has done with their lives and in the lives of others. If you’re needing to hear about the wonders God is doing today, then you won’t want to miss either episode with Jamell.

After Irene got saved in college, she volunteered at her church. Little did she know where her willingness to serve would lead her! Hear the wonderful twists, turns, and adventures that simply following Jesus has led Irene to and in. Only recently, Irene, her husband Anthony (yes, she shares about how they met and ended up as a couple), along with their four handsome boys and beautiful daughter moved back from Israel. Though they are back in the United States, their adventure, now as a family, continues. You won’t want to miss a minute of Irene’s story.

After Irene got saved in college, she volunteered at her church. Little did she know where her willingness to serve would lead her! Hear the wonderful twists, turns, and adventures that simply following Jesus has led Irene to and in. Only recently, Irene, her husband Anthony (yes, she shares about how they met and ended up as a couple), along with their four handsome boys and beautiful daughter moved back from Israel. Though they are back in the United States, their adventure, now as a family, continues. You won’t want to miss a minute of Irene’s story.