'Among the miracles which distinguish this sacred dispensation is this, that women have evinced a greater boldness than men when enlisted in the ranks of the Faith.' — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Western women have always been in the forefront of teaching the Bahá'í Faith. Here are short pen portraits of seven such women whose services to the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh have spanned the twentieth century. Emogene Hoagg, Claudia Coles, Anna Kunz, Amelia Collins, Kate Dwyer, Ella Bailey, Ella Quant - some well known, others less so - all devoted their lives to the promotion and development of the Faith they loved.