To consciously scan history for women who made a difference is a project worth doing; whether or not there is some patriarchal bias in history, the point stands as valid that history has been shaped by men as well as women. This is true in all areas of history; today we'll draw our examples from Jewish events. Some reminders:
It was a woman who ...
Risked her life to protect Moses at a time when Egyptians were engaging in "ethnic cleansing" by killing Hebrew baby boys.
Protected the Israelite spies in the city of Jericho, gave them information, and helped them to escape, making possible the Israelite invasion.
Led the Israelites to victory in battle, advising and eventually replacing the military leader Barak.
Kept the prophet Elijah alive by giving him provisions when there was no other food to found.
Crystalized the concept of devotion in the words, "wither you go, I will go, and your God will be my God."
Risked her life, confronting the Persian king to whom she was married, to save her nation from destruction.
Was cited by Jesus as demonstrating altruism when she donated an absolutely small, but relatively large, sum.
Shattered an alabaster container to pour perfume on Jesus, a radical act at the time.
Wetted the feet of Jesus with her tears, in a symbolic gesture.
Embraced the concept of mystery and elucidated the concept of the divine incarnation.
The women listed above changed history, and had they not played the roles they did, our culture and civilization today would different beyond recognition - all manner of art, music, philosophy, and politics would have taken radically divergent paths without the influence of these historic Jewish women.
