Date

12-4-2025

Department

School of Communication and the Arts

Degree

Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (MFA)

Chair

Nicholle Gould

Keywords

Christian, matriarchs, evangelical, narratives

Disciplines

Art and Design

Abstract

The silencing of women’s experiences throughout history has caused a general lack of familiarity with the contributions of Christian matriarchs in most modern church congregations. This absence of historical precedent has led to ongoing issues of identity and belonging in the body of Christ among the Christian women of today. The primary goal of this thesis is to bring attention to the erasure of women in the faith throughout history and shed new light on their individual narratives.

This study will assess how Scripture originally set up leadership dynamics, encouraged women into those roles, and allowed them to teach in the early church. It will then take a historical look at how women were written out of authoritative spiritual participation in the church, reflecting the culture of the time, and how those women responded. Finally, this study will conclude with how historical precedent has affected the modern church, creating issues for both genders, when women are not allowed in positions of teaching or spiritual authority. After completing rigorous research on women’s erasure throughout Christian history, including a literature review, case studies, and visual analyses, a new solution was inspired to bring awareness to stories of women that contributed to the Christian faith. The thesis visual deliverable includes faux stained glass pieces that pair with a short illustrated book on historical narratives and contributions of Christian matriarchs.

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