Mary Ward, founder of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, emerged as a visionary leader who challenged societal norms when schools were solely for boys and religious life confined to cloisters.
Four centuries ago, amidst widespread discrimination against women and girls, Mary Ward forged a new passage for women – a pathway to empowerment across villages, cities, and nations. In addition to her deep faith and courage, her extraordinary leadership style continues to inspire today.
Born in 1585 in Protestant England, at a time of religious oppression, Mary faced tremendous opposition due to her fierce belief that girls should be educated and women empowered to assume leadership roles in society.
Despite this resistance and inspired by the Jesuit approach to educating boys, she relentlessly pursued establishing schools for girls in which women also had the freedom to teach. While she had many supporters, her detractors were powerful. Cardinals ruthlessly thwarted her repeated attempts to petition the Pope.
A strong vision, belief in collaboration over hierarchy, excellent communication, and good humour characterised Mary’s leadership style. She could identify women who shared her vision and had the talent to help realise it. These women became her loyal companions.
Her companions, known as the ‘circle of friends’, symbolised her inclusive leadership. She saw herself as an equal, sharing power and calling on their diverse strengths and styles. The group was confident that each companion would be heard, respected, and appreciated. They were deeply loyal to her, and she kept them motivated through years of poverty, isolation, and the threat of imprisonment.
Mary could engage with people across all social, political, and religious groups, communicating with well-chosen, powerful words. Even while imprisoned, she broadcasted her messages using laundry paper and lemon juice as invisible ink.
Through her imprisonment and many setbacks, she maintained a sense of humour and encouraged cheerfulness in her companions.
Four hundred years later, Mary Ward International Australia honours Mary Ward’s legacy by identifying women with the same optimism, spirit of collaboration, communication skills and strong vision, supporting them to become leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers in their communities.
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