Canada is home to countless women whose faith has moved mountains—whether through prison chaplaincy, Indigenous spiritual guidance, pastoral ministry, hospital care, or prophetic social justice work. This post celebrates some of those unforgettable figures: past and present, canonized and contemporary.
✨ Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1880)
Mohawk–Algonquin Catholic Saint
Kateri Tekakwitha was the first Indigenous woman from North America canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. Orphaned by smallpox and baptized at age 20, she lived a life of devotion and simplicity. She is now patron saint of ecology and Indigenous peoples.
🕯️ Lois Wilson (b. 1927)
United Church Minister & First Female Moderator
Lois Wilson broke historic ground as the first female Moderator of the United Church of Canada in 1980. A champion of ecumenical work and interfaith dialogue, she also served in the Senate of Canada. Her ministry reflects deep commitments to justice, peace, and inclusion.
“I didn’t need to wait for the church to empower me. I was already empowered.” — Lois Wilson
🌿 Karen Hayde
Seventh-day Adventist Chaplain, British Columbia
Karen Hayde serves as a chaplain in a drug treatment centre on Vancouver Island. She has previously worked in prison ministry. Her faith has led her to meet people in life’s hardest corners, offering spiritual support without judgment. She is a trailblazer in bringing Adventist values into chaplaincy outside of denominational institutions and as an itinerant preacher, teacher, and mentor.
✨ Rhoda Klein-Miller
Seventh-day Adventist Pastor, British Columbia
Rhoda Klein-Miller is currently the only female lead pastor of a Seventh-day Adventist church in Canada. Though female ordination is still not conferred in Canadian SDA circles, Rhoda’s leadership and community outreach efforts at Vancouver's Oakridge Adventist Church are powerful examples of faith in action.
👩⚖️ Bishop Linda Nicholls (b. 1954)
Anglican Church of Canada
Nicholls made history in 2019 as the first woman elected Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. She is widely respected for her theological insight and leadership on reconciliation, ecumenism, and inclusion.
🕊️ Sr. Sue Mosteller, CSJ (b. 1933)
Roman Catholic – Sisters of St. Joseph
A beloved spiritual figure and close collaborator with Henri Nouwen, Mosteller led the L’Arche Daybreak community in Ontario and has long championed compassionate ministry with people with disabilities.
✝️ Mary Jo Leddy (b. 1946)
Roman Catholic
A theologian and activist, Leddy founded Romero House, a Toronto community for refugees. Her work bridges faith, philosophy, and practical action for marginalized communities.
🌿 Florence Paynter
Anishinaabe – Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation
Paynter is a respected Elder who provides spiritual guidance and cultural education rooted in Indigenous knowledge and healing practices. She is also active in reconciliation efforts and residential school survivor support.
🌾 Elder Alma Hache
Mi'kmaq
A traditional healer and spiritual guide, Hache works with incarcerated individuals and those in healing lodges, helping them reconnect with Indigenous teachings and community healing.
🔥 Rev. Dr. Cheryl Anne Thompson
Baptist
A Black Canadian preacher, theologian, and educator, Thompson is a vocal advocate for racial justice and equity within Canadian church communities and seminaries.
🩸 Commissioner Susan McMillan
Salvation Army
As former Territorial Commander for Canada and Bermuda, McMillan was one of the most senior women in the Salvation Army. She has led efforts in disaster relief, gender equality, and social services across Canada and Latin America.
💖 Major (Ret.) Shirley King
Salvation Army – Prison and Hospice Chaplaincy
King ministered faithfully to women in prison and patients in hospice care. Her legacy is one of empathy, resilience, and unwavering commitment to those society often forgets.
🏥 Rev. Debra Schneider
United Church of Canada – Palliative Care Chaplaincy
Schneider has helped develop chaplaincy programs in Canadian hospitals and long-term care facilities, focusing on interfaith spiritual care and training future chaplains.
🕊️ Rev. Wanda Malcolm
Evangelical / Clinical Pastoral Education
A psychologist, minister, and educator, Malcolm has contributed to spiritual care in hospitals while training others to serve with compassion, especially in trauma-informed settings.
🔥 Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne (b. 1975)
United Church Moderator & Heiltsuk First Nation Member
Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne made history as the first Indigenous woman elected Moderator of the United Church of Canada (2022). A passionate advocate for reconciliation, Indigenous sovereignty, and climate justice, she leads with prophetic boldness.
“The work of the church is not finished. There is still repair, healing, and restoration to be done.” — Carmen Lansdowne
⛪ Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo (b. 1951)
United Church Minister, Politician, LGBTQ+ Advocate
A former Ontario MPP, Dr. DiNovo is a United Church minister who officiated Canada’s first legal same-sex marriage and passed more LGBTQ+ legislation than any politician in Canadian history. She continues to minister with courage and conviction.
🧵 A Tapestry of Courage & Calling
These women represent just a handful of Canada’s vibrant tapestry of faith-filled leadership—from urban pulpits to tent cities, hospital rooms and rehab centers to prison chapels, from visiting new parents to spending a few hours a week in a hospice with dying seniors. Each one reminds us that ministry is not just a title—it’s a life lived for others.
Whether commissioned or canonized, activist or elder, these shepherds of spirit continue to lead with grace, grit, and God’s call.
🌎 Want to Explore More?
This list is just a small sampling of Canadian women who have responded to the call, and have "understood the assignment". Across the country, countless women are nurturing communities, healing wounds, and challenging institutions—guided by faith, purpose, and hope. Your support of compassionate women in spiritual leadership roles is needed and appreciated.
Feel free to express your appreciation for the women spiritual leaders in your life in the comments below!
Thank you!
Disclosure: AI used for purposes of editing, formating, and research. Approved by me.
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