“This book is rich in inspiration and information. Reading it opened my eyes, broadened my vision, and challenged my faith. I highly recommend it to both men and women!”

—Warren W. Wiersbe, author and former pastor of the Moody Church, Chicago

“How does a mom raise a daughter in an age that believes the sum of her appearance must fit into a teeny, tiny, little size 0 box with its edges tightly, perfectly manicured shut? Maybe she shares example after example of what living, breathing, change-the-world courage looks like from the women who’ve come before us. I know that from now on when I’m looking for heroes for my daughter, I will be bookmarking the pages of Michelle’s book for years to come. Fifty women who teach us that famous isn’t about how many people know your name and that brave often looks like pressing on even when you’re afraid. My daughter and I are both indebted to Michelle for introducing us to many women we’d never met before and are sure never to forget.”

—Lisa-Jo Baker, community manager for (in)courage and author of Surprised by Motherhood

“We are, indeed, surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. In the pages of this book, Michelle DeRusha skillfully introduces us to extraordinary women who lived boldly and bravely and who planted their feet solidly on faith. Often their unwavering belief resulted in excommunication, mistreatment, torture, or even death. In the face of some of the same questions, temptations, and doubts we encounter today, these women were pioneers. Their stories give the church of today—men and women alike—a courageous and brave example of living faith and of living out faith, the evidence of things unseen.”

—Deidra Riggs, managing editor of The High Calling and founder of Jumping Tandem

“This beautiful book is an invitation to a journey—a journey that moves from kitchens to slums to plantations . . . and always straight to the heart of God. Pick up this book and let your very soul brush up against the fringes of the hearts of our sisters, whose stories span centuries of our collective faith. In this thoroughly researched and well-written work, Michelle DeRusha invites us into the lives of fifty women whose stories are our stories. This book inspired me, challenged me, and made me feel so proud to be a woman who belongs to Jesus.”

—Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of Love Idol

“Beautifully written, accessible, inspiring, and relevant, this book is a welcome reminder and celebration of the everyday women of valor who came before us. It is a gift to the whole church.”

—Sarah Bessey, author of Jesus Feminist

“I love it when a woman champions other women. Through Michelle’s stories, I am reminded of how our generations of women stand on the shoulders of so many giants in our faith.”

—Idelette McVicker, founder and editor-in-chief at SheLoves Magazine