There’s a lot of discourse in today’s media and culture about what it actually means to be a woman. Various trends and reactions to past generations have led to conflicting ideals, making the discussion feel chaotic at times. In the midst of this, it can be helpful to step away from the arguments and instead focus on women who have positively shaped our understanding of femininity.

If you’re looking for insightful contributions to your understanding of womanhood, here’s a list of “pro-women women” you should know.

1. Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross)

Edith Stein was a 20th-century German philosopher who contributed to a range of topics beyond just the nature of womanhood. Born into a Jewish family, she later converted to Catholicism after reading the works of St. Teresa of Avila. She eventually joined the Carmelite Order, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Stein’s life was tragically cut short when she died in Auschwitz during World War II.

Her work, Essays on Woman, is a collection of essays and lectures that rise above the usual debates between feminists and anti-feminists. She affirms fundamental truths about womanhood while also addressing historical challenges and the importance of individual nuance. This collection is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in a philosophical approach to femininity.

Inspiring quote: “The woman’s soul is fashioned as a shelter in which other souls may unfold.”

2. Angela Merici

Born in 15th-century Italy, Angela Merici was the foundress of the Order of St. Ursula, a religious order dedicated to the education of girls. She and her sisters firmly believed that by educating future wives and mothers, families—and, by extension, society—would be healthier and more virtuous. Her vision recognized the profound impact of women’s roles in society and led to a movement that enriched young women’s education.

Inspiring quote: “Disorder in society is the result of disorder in the family.”

3. Dorothy Day

Dorothy Day was an activist and advocate for the poor and homeless who took a winding path to faith. After a youth marked by political radicalism, she converted to Catholicism and sought to reconcile her deeply held beliefs with her newfound faith. This journey led her to dedicate herself to Catholic social teaching and activism.

Like Edith Stein, Day believed that women best serve the world through the unique gifts of femininity—not through limiting stereotypes, but as an intrinsic part of each individual woman. When surrendered to God, these gifts, in all their varied expressions, become indispensable to His plan for society.

Inspiring quote: “I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.”

4. Caryll Houselander

Caryll Houselander was a 20th-century British writer, artist, and mystic best known for The Reed of God, a spiritual work on Mary, the Mother of Jesus. An eccentric and deeply creative woman, she lived a devout life of singlehood but viewed motherhood as a spiritual disposition available to all women, not just biological mothers.

Houselander was known not only for her writing but also for her remarkable generosity and hospitality. During World War II, she devoted herself to caring for others, both physically and emotionally. Those who knew her recalled that she never seemed to tire of serving those in need.

For insights on spiritual motherhood, The Reed of God is an essential read.

Inspiring quote: “There is no way of learning God except through the adventure of our own heart.”