History was made at Bristol Cathedral on March 12, 1994. For the first time in its 460-year history, the Church of England ordained women as priests. Thirty-two women, with unwavering courage, stepped forward, defying centuries of tradition, to claim their place at the altar. Their bravery and determination are truly inspiring.

Bishop Barry Rogerson led the ceremony. The women were ordained in alphabetical order, making Angela Berners-Wilson the first woman to become a priest in the Church of England. Karen MacKinnon, aged 30, was the youngest of the group, while the oldest was 69​. These women, from diverse backgrounds, came together to represent a new future for the Church, a future that includes everyone, regardless of their background or age.

The journey to this day has been anything but smooth. For decades, the question of women’s ordination has divided the Church. Traditionalists argue that priesthood is a male calling, while reformers push for equality and representation. The turning point came in 1992, when the General Synod of the Church of England finally voted to allow women to be ordained as priests. This day in history paved the way for women to ascend to higher roles within the Church. By 2015, Libby Lane was appointed as the first female bishop in the Church of England. Rachel Treweek followed, becoming the first female diocesan bishop later that year​.