Let's hear it for the ladies- Inspiration from Rhema’s radio women 1

Let’s hear it for the ladies- Inspiration from the women at Rhema

International Women’s Day passed us on the 8th of March, which inspired us to hear it from the ladies of Rhema FM to get their insights from a Christian perspective on: What does International Womens Day mean to you? And, What women in the bible most inspire you?

Chloe Ellenbacher, co-host of the Fresh Start

Chloe is co-host of The Fresh Start, alongside Aaron Brown. They cover topics on what’s going on in the world, from the weird to the wonderful. They chat with guests from all walks of life, such as musical artists, and share local stories with the purpose of bringing you a Fresh Start to your mornings.

Let's hear it for the ladies- Inspiration from Rhema’s radio women 2

“In an ideal world, every woman would have had the same experiences as me. Growing up in a boisterous family of three girls and three boys, we spent our years playing rough basketball games, singing six-part harmony Sound of Music hits in the car, doing bible studies at home and helping at church. Even though my older sister and I, number 5 and 6 in the sibling age order, were commonly referred to as “the girls” I don’t ever remember being excluded, talked down to or told I couldn’t take part in anything because I was a female. I don’t remember phrases like “this is boys only” or “that’s a girl thing” growing up.

As an adult in my work life, I have been blessed to be valued and treated with respect wherever I’ve been employed. And so as I come to International Women’s Day, I could look at it with scepticism. Do we need a day all to ourselves? I could ask. What about a “men’s day”? Shouldn’t they have one too? Aren’t we all equal? Recently I was sitting in a women’s luncheon, overawed by some crazily successful ladies who had done great things in business and charities, and I listened to their stories. Stories of workplaces that deliberately scheduled meetings at knock-off time so that the ‘Mum’ employee who had to run home to kids wouldn’t be able to attend. It was hard for me to believe this harsh reality. Their experiences were so different from mine. If I’m honest, I think it’s a shame that we need an International Women’s Day. In an ideal world, every woman would have had the same experiences as me, and wouldn’t feel the need for it- but the harsh reality is that they haven’t.

So what can we do now to remedy this?

How can we show women, like those at that luncheon, that they are worth celebrating? Why don’t you join me and take IWD (and every day) as a time to acknowledge and value the women in our lives. Let’s celebrate women, not because they are better but because they are equal. Let’s aim to do this so well that we give more women the blessing of being able to wonder, “why do we need a special day?” just like me”.

Galatians 3:26-28: So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”

Let's hear it for the ladies- Inspiration from Rhema’s radio women 3

Sarah Clement, Community and Church Partnerships

Sarah has been a part of Rhema for over 4 years, working across many areas including nurturing community and church partnerships through intentional connections with those in the local Newcastle and Hunter areas.

“It’s recently been International Women’s Day and it got me thinking about some of the women who have inspired me throughout my life. I have been blessed with personally knowing some amazing, beautiful ladies who have mentored, advised, and guided me throughout my life, my mother chief among them.

When thinking about women in the Bible who have inspired me, I found it so hard to pick just one. The midwives who lied to Pharaoh to protect the Israelite babies, Deborah the Judge who led the Israelites with Barak to war and victory, Mary who told the angel she was a servant of the Lord and may his word be fulfilled, then went on to birth the Saviour. Joanna and Susanna and others like them who funded Jesus’s ministry, and Pricilla who worked and led the new church with her husband and there are so many others like them. Women who have put aside the expected and followed the calling of the one who created them, sometimes at great personal risk to themselves, but who didn’t let others turn them from the path God had set for them. I am so grateful to be able to learn from their stories, their mistakes, and their victories, and I’m glad that this International Woman’s Day I stopped and thought of them once more and was inspired all over again by their stories.”

Luke 1:45 Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.

Laurel Mac

Laurel is the host of Mornings with Laurel where she aims to give those who hear her show a brighter day with interesting and amusing stories from around the world. She started in professional theatre at the age of 12 and has experience as a TV director in 3 countries as well as presenting a mainstream kid’s TV show.

Let's hear it for the ladies- Inspiration from Rhema’s radio women 4

“I take great delight in cheering on women everywhere, who shine a light on lives built on sheer tenacity, rugged creativity and relentless faith. We are all very human, but with Jesus, we are more, and with each other, we become even more.”