Two Amazing Women Who Changed the World with Audacious Faith

Meet two women of audacious faith:

Sr. M. Madeleva Wolff and Cory Aquino

Ever notice how some people just get things done? They see a problem, and even if everyone else is shrugging their shoulders, they roll up their sleeves and get to work. That's exactly the kind of spirit we're celebrating today with two incredible women from the 20th century: Sr. M. Madeleva Wolff and Cory Aquino.

These two trailblazers, though living very different lives, shared an amazing common thread: they both identified and understood a great need, tried to work within the systems of their day, and when that wasn't enough, they bravely stepped up to solve the problem themselves. And here's a little extra reason to celebrate them together: their passing days are only separated by a week – Sr. M. Madeleva on July 25th and Cory Aquino on August 1st (though many years apart). Let me give you a quick view into their inspiring stories!

Sr. M. Madeleva Wolff: A Visionary in Catholic Education and Literature 

Imagine being a brilliant nun in the early to mid-20th century, passionate about education, especially for women. That was Sr. M. Madeleva Wolff. Born Mary Evaline Wolff in Wisconsin in 1887, she summed up her approach when she said, "The best qualifications I brought to my office were these: my ability to dream, my capacity to work." 

Sr. Madeleva was a talented student, earning a PhD from Berkeley and even doing postgraduate work at Oxford, where she rubbed shoulders with literary giants like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis!  When she became president of Saint Mary's College in Indiana, she recognized the opportunity to address an issue that had bothered her for some time: women, especially religious sisters, needed access to advanced theological education. At that time, nuns provided most of the teaching in Catholic schools across the U.S. but had nowhere to study theology themselves beyond some initial courses in their formation. 

In a radical move for her time, she reached out to big Catholic universities like Notre Dame or the Catholic University of America  asking them to admit women to their theology programs. They all said no! But Sr. Madeleva wasn't one to back down. With her bishop's blessing and even approval from Rome, she opened her own School of Sacred Theology at Saint Mary's in 1943. This school granted advanced degrees to women – both religious and lay – and even laymen. It was so successful that eventually other universities saw the light (or perhaps the success!) and started admitting women too, and her school was no longer needed. 

And if that wasn't enough, Sr. Madeleva was also a prolific writer and poet, publishing over 20 books, including 13 volumes of poetry. She believed poetry was a form of prayer, a way to express her relationship with God and share His beauty. She even had a poem featured at the 1939 World's Fair and was the only female poet invited to speak alongside famous poets like Robert Frost and T.S. Eliot.

She also championed better professional training for all religious sisters and even made the controversial but Gospel-inspired decision to integrate Saint Mary's College in 1941. Sr. M. Madeleva’s life is a beautiful example of how deep faith, hard work, and a willingness to challenge the status quo can truly leave a lasting mark.

Cory Aquino: The Reluctant President Who Restored Democracy

Thousands of miles away, in the Philippines, Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino's life would similarly demonstrate extraordinary faith and an unexpected ascent to leadership. Her family's motto was Ora et Labora – Pray and work. This motto would define her life, especially when faced with unimaginable challenges.

Cory's initial role was primarily that of a supportive wife and mother. However, her life took a dramatic turn when her husband, the prominent political figure Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., was imprisoned by the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. During Ninoy's incarceration, Cory's unwavering faith became her profound source of strength. She relentlessly worked to locate him and improve his harsh prison conditions. She became his vital link to the outside world, serving as his "eyes, ears, and voice" as they collaboratively challenged the Marcos regime. This period of suffering, including their children sleeping on the cold cell floor during visits, exposed them to the stark realities of poverty in the Philippines, a realization that would deeply influence Cory's future leadership.

Then came the tragedy: Ninoy was assassinated upon his return to the Philippines in 1983. This devastating event propelled Cory into a role she never sought. Filipinos, desperate for change and inspired by her resilience, urged her to run for president against Marcos. She was reluctant, but when over a million people signed a petition, she agreed.

The election was fraught with fraud, but Cory, guided by prayer, knew she had to stand as a symbol of light against Marcos's darkness. Despite the initial corrupt results, the sheer outrage from the public and even some of Marcos's own officials led to his downfall. On February 25, 1986, Cory Aquino was sworn in as the first female President of the Philippines.

Leading a nation grappling with a struggling economy and deep divisions was an immense undertaking. Yet, Cory consistently sought divine guidance through prayer, which she stated "clarified her thoughts and helped her navigate her many challenges". She navigated numerous challenges, including multiple coup attempts , and successfully oversaw the drafting and approval of a new democratic constitution in a peaceful election.

Cory never set out to be a politician, but when thrust into that role, she trusted that it was all part of God's plan and that He would lead her way. Her life shows us the immense strength that faith can provide in the face of suffering and how unexpected paths can lead to profound change.

A Shared Legacy of Faith in Action

Both Sr. M. Madeleva Wolff and Cory Aquino, in their unique ways, demonstrate the power of audacious faith. They didn't just pray; they put their prayers into action, courageously tackling problems when no one else would. Their legacies, especially poignant as we remember them each July and August, remind us that when we put our gifts in God's hands, He can use them in extraordinary ways to change our corner of the world, and beyond.