Sojourner, born Isabella Baumfree, was born into slavery in Swartekill, New York but escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826. In 1828, after going to court, was able to rescue her son. She was the first black woman to win such a case against a white man. In 1843 she gave herself the name Sojourner Truth after she became convinced God had called her to leave the city and go into the countryside. In 1851 she delivered her best known speech extemporaneously ( without preparation) in 1863 at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in Akron . It became known as ‘Ain’t I a Woman’- published in 1863. During the American civil war she recruited black troops for the Union Army. She continued to fight on behalf of women and African Americans until her death. In 2009 a memorial bust of Sojourner was unveiled. She was the first African American to have a statue in the Capitol building In 2014 she was included in Smithsonian magazine list of 100 Most Significant Americans of all time. Sources Wikipedia Standing on her Shoulders by Monica Clark-Robinson

Chloe, aged 17, at the 2018 Winter Olympics at Pyeonghang became the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding gold medal in the women’s snowboard halfpipe. 4 years later she won the same event in Beijing. She is the World, Olympic, Youth Olympic and XGames champion in the halfpipe. She is the first to win the title at all 4 major events. Twice awarded the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year 2019 2020 5 ESPY awards plus best Female Action Sports Athlete 3 years in row. Sources Wikipedia Standing on her shoulders by Monica Clark-Robinson

Debra on March 16th 2021 became the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary and the second to serve in the Cabinet after Republican former vice president and Kaw Nation citizen Charles Curtis. Source Wikipedia Standing on her Shoulders by Monica Clark-Robinson

Faith is best known for her series of story quilts. Designed from the 1980’s onwards they captured the experiences of Black Americans and became her signature art form. They are to be found across the world. As a multimedia artist her works explored themes of family, race, class and gender. Faith’s art has been exhibited throughout the world including the Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Arts and Design, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Faith promoted the work of BLack Artists and rallied against their marginalization by the art museums. She also wrote and illustrated 12 children’s books. Sources Wikipedia *Standing on her Shoulders *by Monica Clark-Robinson

Harriet, with her camera at the ready, visited many countries with her husband. In 1900 she undertook her first expedition with her husband. The three year trip was to South America where they visited every country. She crossed the Andes on horseback. Gave first lecture to National Geographical Society (NGS). Her next voyage followed Christopher Columbus’s first discoveries between Europe and America visiting every country that had a Spanish or Portuguese colony. She was a correspondent for Harper’s magazine in Europe during the First World War. She was the first American journalist to visit the French trenches. In 1935 , with her husband, she did a second extended trip to South America. During her lifetime she wrote 21 articles for the NGS. Her colour photographs and adventurous travel style earned her numerous invitations to speak across the world by organizations who had never before asked a woman to speak… Harriet was the first president of the Society of Woman Geographers (1925-33). Sources Wikipedia Standing on her Shoulders by Monica Clark-Robinson

Septima developed the literacy and workshops that played an important role in the voting rights and civil right for African Americans in the Civil Rights Movement. Her position in the Civil Rights Movement was one that claimed ’ knowledge could empower marginalized groups that formal legal equality couldn’t’. In 1979 US President Jimmy Carter awarded her a Living Legacy Award. Martin Luther King commonly referredt o her as The Mother of the Movement. Septima lived to the age of 89. In the eulogy, at her funeral in 1987, the Revd. Joseph Lowery asserted that her ‘courage and pioneering efforts in the area of citizenship education and interracial cooperation’ won her SCLC highest award - Drum major for Justice Award. ( SCLC Southern Christian Leadership Conference) Source- Wikipedia

Vnes Enriquetta Juliette Mexia in 1909, approaching 40 years of age, suffered a mental and physical breakdown. While recovering in Northern California she became interested in botany. She enrolled at University California Berkeley in 1925. and went on a collecting trip in Mexico. In middle age Mexia had found her purpose in life writing, I have a job (where) I produce something real and lasting. Over the next 13 years she travelled from the northern regions of Alaska to the southern modest tip of South America - Tierra del Fuego. Her ‘habits’ surprised people -she travelled alone, rode on horse back, wore trousers and she preferred to sleep outside even if beds or indoor accommodation was available. Her challenges included poisonous berries, dangerous terrain, bogs and earthquakes for the sake of her research. In 1938, while on an expedition to Mexico, she became ill and was forced to abort her trip. On returning to the USA she was diagnosed with cancer and died a month later at the age of 68. 'All who knew Ynes Mexis could not fail to be impressed by her friendly unassuming spirit, and by that rare courage which enabled her travel, much of the time alone, in lands where few would dare to. William E. Colby secretary of the Sierra Club. Sources Wikipedia Standing on her Shoulders by Monica Clark-Robinson

Laura Jane Addams was an American settlement activist, reformer, social worker, sociologist, public administrator, philosopher and author. She was a leader in the history of social work and women’s suffrage. In 1889 she co-founded Hull House one of the USA’s most famous settlement houses. In 1910 she was the first woman to be awarded am honorary Master of Arts degree by Yale University. In 1920 she co-founded the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU0). She was an advocate for world peace the became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. In her lifetime she helped America address and focus on issues that were of concern to women or domestic work assigned to women. When Jane died in 1935, aged 74, she was the best known public figure in the USA. In the* Progressive Era* Jane was one of most prominent reformers. Source Wikipedia

Saint Nicodemus is mentioned 3 times in St. John’s Gospel. He is not mentioned in the synoptic gospels of Matthew. Mark or Luke. He visits Jesus one night to discuss Jesus’ teaching. Here he is referred to as being a prominent leader among the Jews John ch 3 v 1-21 Nicodemus makes a statement v2 Rabbi, we know that thou are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. V3 Jesus replies, Verily , verily, I say unto thee. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. v4 Nicodemus asks, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb? v5 Jesus replies, *Except a man be born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. v6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit v7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again * The importance ofBeing born again is often mentioned in the epistles. He is mentioned when Jesus faced the Sanhedrin. Here he is referred to as being a ruler and Pharisee. John ch 7 v 50-53 After Jesus’ crucifixion he provided the customary spices for anointing the dead when he assists Joseph of Arimathaea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial - John ch.19 v 39-42 He was a Pharisee , a ruler and a member of the Sanhedrin. Although there is no explicit mention of him as a follower or disciple of Jesus in the New Testament he is considered to be a secret disciple of Jesus by both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches based on the narrative of John ch 19. The name Nicodemus means ‘victory of the people’

I had already written over 600 profiles of Saints and other famous Christians when I came across a list of 40 martyrs for England and Wales. (See List) I have simply copied parts from Wikipedia for the first 10. If a number of you are interested download the first 10- I will then do the other 30. Saints Almond, Arrowsmith, Barlow, Boste, Briant, Campion, Clitherow, Evans , Gernet and Lloyd (Evans and Lloyd are combined).

I have created four useful sheets for the children when they write to Father Christmas. Sheet 1 is an outline for the letter. Sheet 2 is a vocabulary of useful words. Sheet 3 for is a clip art sheet for writing their letter on. Sheets 4 and 5 pictures of gifts for boys and girls in 2024. I went on Google and found an address from the Post Office for writing letters to Father Christmas this year.

I came across these photocopied free Photocopiable Christmas lists while looking for Christmas ideas. I have photocopied 14 of them’ 2 page of possible presents

Christmas Evans (1766-1838) was born on Christmas day, December 25th 1766. He was Welsh nonconformist minister who has been described as ‘the greatest preacher that the Baptists have ever had in Great Britain’ known by D.M. Lloyd-Jones. Christmas was born near the village of Llandysul, Cardiganshire. His father, a shoemaker, died when his son was 9 years of age. He grew up as an illiterate farm labourer. He stood about 7 feet tall and lost an eye during a youthful brawl. Aged 17 he became the servant of David Davies, a Presbyterian minister, who taught him to read and write in English and Welsh. Visiting Calvinistic Methodist preachers and members of the Baptist church in Llandysul influenced him, so he joined the Baptists. Career In 1789 he settled for 2 years on the remote Llyn Peninsula in Caernarfonshire. He then moved to Llangeful in Anglesey. here on a stipend of £17 a year,he built up a strong Baptist community. Many new chapels were built, the money being collected on preaching tours which he undertook in South Wales. In 1826 he moved to Caerphilly, where he stayed for 2 years. In 1828 he moved to Cardiff. In 1832, responding to an urgent call, He settled in Caernarfon and again took undertook the old work of building and collecting. Style of preaching Christmas was a remarkably powerful preacher. With a natural aptitude for his calling he united a nimble mind and an inquiring spirit. His chief characteristic was a vivid and affluent imagination, which absorbed and controlled his other abilities, he earned the name ‘The Bunyan of Wales’. His sermons enlightened the understanding and warmed the heart. His piety humble and his faith fervently evangelical. His famous ‘The Graveyard Sermon’ was included in Grenville Kleiser’s 1909, 9 volume The World’s Great Sermons. . In 1838 he was taken ill, in the house of Daniel David,while on another tour of South Wales. He died in Swansea on 19th July 1838. His funeral was one of the largest ever attended in the country. He is buried in the grounds of Swansea’s Bethesda Chapel. His works were edited by Owen Davies in 3 volumes and published in Caernarvon between 1895-7. Christmas Evans came on the scene in the late 18th century and became one of the greatest preachers in the national history of powerful Gospel preaching in Wales (It is believed to bring good luck to kiss his headstone - making it the Swansea version of the Barney Stone.) Source Wikipedia

Desiderius Erasmas Roterodamus is considered to be one of the most influential thinkers of the Northern Renaissance because of his vast number of translations, books, essays, prayers and letters. He was one of the major figures of Dutch and Western culture. His medieval Dutch childhood ended in him being orphaned and impoverished. He went to Paris, Queen’s College Cambridge and Turin universities. He wrote in a spontaneous, copious and natural Latin style. He prepared new Latin and Greek scholarly editions of the New Testament with annotations and commentary. He wrote a vast number of books.(See list of Books by Erasmus) *His influential middle road approach disappointed, and even angered, partisans, in both camps. He remained a member of the Catholic church all his life, remaining committed to reforming the church from within. Sources Wikipedia

Elizabeth was a Catholic, religious sister, in the USA and an educator. She was known as the founder of the country’s parochial school system. She was the first American citizen to be canonized. Feast Day 4th January She was raised as an Episcopalian. She married William Seton and they had 5 children. William died in 1803 from tuberculosis. In 1805, 2 years after her husband’s death, she converted to Catholicism. To support herself she had started an academy for young ladies. On hearing of her conversion parents withdrew their daughters! The Sulpician Fathers , a French emigre community, were in the process of establishing the first Catholic seminary in the USA. Father Dubourg had envisioned a religious school to meet the educational needs of the new nation’s small Catholic community. Elizabeth accepted the invitation and moved to Emmitsburg, Maryland. She established the first Catholic girl’s school, Saint Joseph’s Academy and Free School in Emmitsburg. In 1809 she founded the first American congregation of religious sisters - Sisters of Charity.- they were initially called Sister of Charity of St. Joseph. They adopted the rules of the Daughters of Charity, co-founded in France by Vincent de Paul and Louisa de Manilac. Elizabeth was now Mother Seton. Elizabeth, a charming and cultured lady, spent her last 12 years leading and developing the new congregation of sisters. Legacy Her name has been used by buildings, charities, churches, hospitals and schools across the world. (See Eponymous institutions list) Saint Elizabeth Seton -canonized by the Catholic Church September 14 , 1975 Sources Wikipedia The Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

The story of Dymphna and her friends was first recorded in the 13th century after their bodies were discovered. Oral Tradition says Dymphna’s father, Damon, was a petty king of Oriel in Ireland ; her mother was a devout Christian. When she was 14 years of age she consecrated herself to Christ and took a vow of chastity. Her father’s mental health deteriorated when his wife died. His counsellors pressed him to remarry. He agreed on the condition the new wife looked like his first wife. Searching proved fruitless and he began to desire his daughter because of her resemblance to her mother. The daughter learned of his intentions and fled the court with her confessor Father Gerebemus , two trusted servants and the king’s fool. They went to Gheel (now Geel) in Belgium. Tradition says she built a hospice for the poor and sick in Geel. Her father’s agents eventually found her. Damon had Gerebemus killed. She refused to return so he drew his sword and struck off his 15 year old daughter’s head. Residents initially buried the two friends in a nearby cave; later moved to a more suitable location. 1349, nearly 700 years later, a church honouring Dymphna was built in Geel. By 1480 pilgrims were coming from all over Europe seeking treatment for psychiatric disorders. This tradition is still on going. Patients are called ‘boarders’. They become part of the community.It has continued for over 500 years. ( Read paragraph which begins with In 1349 for more information.) Dymphna w as beheaded on May 30th. The year of her death is uncertain. Dymphna is the Patron saint for the insane. Sources Wikipedia Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

Edmund Campion died a martyr because his conscience was unable to accept the offer of freedom he was offered by the 3 privy councilors while being held in the Tower of London for treason… He was happy to accept Elizabeth 1 as queen but unable, in good conscience, accept the validity of the Anglican Church. In his Decern Rationes ( Ten Reasons) he explained his arguments against the validity of the Anglican Church. He had been educated in England at Oxford University. In 1564 he had received Holy Orders as a deacon in the Anglican Church but inwardly he took a remorse of conscience and detestation of mind. Religious difficulties arose. He moved to Ireland (1569-1570) where he helped establish the University of Dublin. He moved to Douai (1571-1573) in the Low Countries (France) where he was reconciled to the Catholic Church. He gained his Bachelor of Divinity degree while hr taught rhetoric. He received minor orders after this and was ordained sub-deacon. He travelled, on foot, as a pilgrim, to Rome in 1573 to join the Jesuits as a novice. In Prague (1573-1580) he was ordained a deacon and priest. For 6 years years he was professor of rhetoric and philosophy.E In 1580 the mission to England began badly. Before they left they learned that a letter detailing the mission had been intercepted. Edmund, in the guise of a jewel merchant.arrived in London on 24th June 1580. His presence soon became known but he began his task of administering the sacrament and preaching. In Norfolk, on 15th July, he was captured by George Eliot, a spy, and taken to London. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Interrogated. 14 th November indicted 20th November found guilty 1st December hung, drawn and quartered ( This is his Feast Day) Edmund was 41 years of age 23 educational institutions are named after him. Sources Wikipedia Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

Winnie started by giving a child a bowl of soup. Soon she was feeding over 500 starving children. She lived in Finetown in the south of Johannesburg, South Africa. She cared almost singlehandedly for orphans and vulnerable children. In 2004 Lisa Ashton travelled to South Africa to make a TV programme to mark 10 years of the end of apartheid. She interviewed a number of people including Winnie. Winnie greatest desire was to own a property that the children could call home. Lisa made a promise to Winnie that she would do all she could to keep her legacy alive. Just a few months later Winnie died. Lisa realised her calling - she had to continue Winnie’s work. The foundation has grown considerably over the years. In 2013 she awarded an MBE for her services to South Africa particularly to those living with HIV Dan Walker visited Ilamula House in Zenzele, when the Football World Cup was in South Africa in 2010. In his book Remarkable People ch 1I started with a bowl of soup**(pages 19-29) gives us a lot of detail about Lisa’s determination to fulfill Winnie’s dream and the foundation first hand. Sources Wikipedia Remarkable People by Dan Walker

There are two Christians called Erasmus in the history of Christianity Saint Elmo is venerated as the patron saint of sailors and abdominal pain. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. He was Bishop of Formia, Italy, during the persecution of Christians by emperors Diocletian and Maximian Hercules. He went to Mount Libabus where he hid for 7 years. An angel counseled him to return to the city. The Acts of Saint Elmo compiled from Legends tell us that on his way back to the city he met some soldiers who questioned him. He admitted to being a Christian. He faced Diocletian. He was bound with chains and thrown into prison- an angel helped him escape. He continued to confess his faith and Maximian had him enclosed in a barrel with protruding spikes and rolled down the hill - an angel intervened. He must eventually have died a cruel martyr’s death A number of unreliable legends fill Erasmus’ story. Sources Wikipedia

Eugenia’s feast is celebrated on Christmas Day, December 25th. Her legend states that she was converted by and martyred with Protus and Hyacinth, her Chamberlains, during the persecution of Valerian. She is said to have been the daughter of Philip, ‘duke’ of Alexandria and governor of Egypt. . She fled her father’s house dressed as a man and was baptised by Helenus the bishop of Heliopolis. Dressed.as a man she became an abbot One of the stories tells of her curing a woman of an illness who made sexually advances towards her, which she rebuffed, while dressed as a man. She was accused of adultery. It went to trial. Her own father was the judge. In court she was exonerated when her true identity was revealed. Her father converted to the faith and became bishop of Alexandria. The emperor had him executed. Eugenia and the rest of the family fled to Rome but this did not prevent their martyrdom. Protus and Hyacinth were beheaded on September 11th AD 258. Eugenia, after Christ had appeared to her in a dream, was told she would die on the Feast of the Nativity. She was beheaded on Christmas Day, December 25th AD 258. Sources Wikipedia The Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton