Women’s History Month: 5 notable female missionaries

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Ann Judson (1789-1826)

Ann Hasseltine Judson (1789-1826), an influential American missionary to Burma. | Public Domain

Ann Hasseltine Judson was among the first American women to serve as a missionary abroad, going with her husband, Adoniram Judson, to Burma (modern Myanmar) in 1812.

Judson is credited with being the first person to translate any part of the Bible into the Thai language, as well as the books of Daniel and Jonah into Burmese.

“In 1824, war broke out between the British and the Burmese, and Adoniram Judson was arrested with other foreigners. Ann saved his life by lobbying government officials, bringing him food in prison, and pressing for his freedom relentlessly over the next two years,” according to Boston University’s History of Missiology.

“After British victory and Adoniram’s release, she died, exhausted by persecution and family responsibilities. Her last words were in Burmese.”