Ties that Bind: Women’s Empowerment in Early 20th Century Korea

What role did Christian missionaries and the Christian church play in the empowerment of Korean women in the early 20th century? This is the essential question which will be discussed in this 2-hour virtual workshop led by Lee-Ellen Strawn. Lee-Ellen will speak about the work of Korean Bible Women, who were paired with western women missionaries, to increase female literacy and empower women to have a voice publicly. Lee-Ellen will also highlight the continuity of the Bible Women’s work with that of the female shaman who had been an important spiritual leader for women and families throughout Korean history. Finally, Lee-Ellen will suggest a few modern Korean women of note that K-12 teachers might wish to highlight in their classrooms.