Ann Judson and the Triumph of Female Education

Two hundred years ago this month, in November 1822, pioneer missionary Ann Judson penned an open letter to the women of America. After describing the oppression and lack of opportunity suffered by women in much of Asia, she concluded, “Shall we sit down in indolence and ease, indulge in all the luxuries with which we are surrounded, and leave beings like these, flesh and blood, intellect and feeling, like ourselves, and of our own sex, to perish, to sink into eternal misery? No!”

Her appeal had an immediate and mighty effect. People made generous donations toward female education in Burma. Volunteers came forward to join the mission.

Ann Judson stood in a long line of Christians who insisted that education should not be for the few—but for all.

Priority of Female Education in Church History

As far back as the first centuries of the Christian church, converts had been instructed. Often they’d be taught from manuals and catechisms for two to three years before baptism. By the fourth century, Augustine claimed many Christian women were better informed in divine matters than pagan male philosophers.

Ann Judson stood in a long line of Christians who insisted that education should not be for the few—but for all.

In subsequent centuries, however, while the Western church founded many schools and universities, educational provision was typically offered only to boys. Then the Reformation came. Universal literacy soon came to be seen as essential, so that everyone could read the Scriptures for themselves. There was a surge in the building of girls’ schools in Protestant areas. Martin Luther believed it was a crime for parents not to ensure the education of all their children.

Hannah More (1745–1833) was a contemporary of Jane Austen. (At one time her works outsold Austen’s by 10 to one.) After her conversion, More devoted herself to the cause of the gospel, social reform, and educational provision. She poured time and financial resources into schools for poor girls as well as boys, often against strong opposition. In 1799, she wrote her best-selling Strictures on the Modern System of Female Education.

Start of a Lifelong Passion

In 1803, a young teenager in the quiet New England town of Bradford read More’s book. When More quoted 1 Timothy 5:6—“She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth” (KJV)—it went straight to Ann Hasseltine’s (soon to be Judson’s) heart. She knew she was living for parties and pleasure, not for Christ. After her conversion, Ann longed for others to know and praise God too. She started teaching in a local school at 17. Each morning she led her class in prayer. Her journal reveals that, even at this young age, her deepest desire was for all people in all nations to be taught about Jesus Christ.

In 1812, now age 21, Ann married Adoniram Judson. Two weeks after the wedding, they said goodbye to family, friends, and all they knew in New England, and set sail for Asia. After enduring a long and tortuous journey, many setbacks, and the stillbirth of Ann’s first child, the Judsons started a Christian mission in Burma. Despite opposition, illness, and the death of her second child, Ann continued in her efforts to start schools for girls. She also worked alongside Adoniram in evangelistic activity and the translation of Christian literature.

Ann died in 1826 at the age of 36. Her health declined under the sufferings she endured, not least while supporting her husband during a long and harsh imprisonment. Ann’s efforts, humanly speaking, ensured Adoniram survived his imprisonment. He lived to give a further 23 years of service to Burma.

Educational Effects Endure

The Judson legacy endures even today as an oppressive military regime makes war in Burma/Myanmar. Local believers are caring for orphans, providing education, ministering to the needy, and sharing the gospel. British humanitarian leader Baroness Caroline Cox has often visited Myanmar. Believers there have told her the Burmese government dislikes Christianity because it “fosters genuine democracy by encouraging individuals to think for themselves.”

Despite opposition, illness, and the death of her second child, Ann continued in her efforts to start schools for girls.

That’s a powerful tribute to the influence of Christian education! In The Book That Made Your World, Indian scholar Vishal Mangalwadi observed, “Western missions . . . birthed, financed, and nurtured hundreds of universities, thousands of colleges, and tens of thousands of schools. They educated millions and transformed nations.”

Protestant missionaries wanted people to be able to read the Bible for themselves and in their own language. They developed written forms of spoken languages, created fonts, printed the first newspapers and textbooks, published Bibles, and established schools. As girls (as well as boys) were given education, the position of women in many societies improved. Still today, the single most important factor in the elevation of women worldwide is educational provision.

Ann Judson was just one of countless Christians who insisted everyone—whatever their race, sex, or status—should have access to education. All should be able to learn of God, read his Word, and be equipped to serve their communities. Most importantly, every person made in God’s image should be given the opportunity to better know the Lord and give him the glory he’s due.