IV. Embodying Christian Womanhood – ‘African’ Actors In The Basel Mission

Abstract

The Basel Mission in West Africa, through its large contingent of European missionaries, came to embody the image of the 'white' missionary. The same applied to its initiative for women's mission. The first part of the chapter focuses on Catherine Mulgrave, who immediately challenged the icon of the 'white' female missionary. The second part of the chapter concentrates on two non-European women who stand for the next generation, educated by the Basel Mission and entering on their careers in the context of an increasing presence of European missionary women. Regina Hesse and Rose Ann Miller also embodied an African Christian womanhood, one as a teacher turned missionary wife, the other as a long-term unmarried teacher who stood up for what she saw as her due recognition in the Basel Mission. Together with Catherine Mulgrave these two played vital roles in establishing a Basel Mission community and spreading Christianity among women.Keywords: Basel Mission; Catherine Mulgrave; European; Rose Ann Miller; West Africa