Uncovering the story of women pioneers in European Methodism

This Introduction seeks to provide a robust framework for the collected essays on women pioneers in European Methodism, first, by describing the social and political context of the period 1869–1939 and examining the origins of Methodism on the continent of Europe. After discussing the parameters of the volume, the various categories of Methodist women pioneers are identified, including their roles as missionary wives, Bible Women, deaconesses, missionaries, and individual entrepreneurs. The editors then draw eight primary conclusions related to the pioneering activities of the Methodist women.