Pope John Paul II wrote his Letter to Women in 1995, ahead of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. In it, he offers heartfelt thanks to women who are mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters, as well as to women who work and consecrated women. He also speaks powerfully about what he called the “genius of women.”

Women Who Work

In a Catholic and Christian culture that increasingly emphasizes marriage and motherhood as the highest calling for women, John Paul II’s letter affirms the importance of women in all walks of life and in all vocations. John Paul II’s letter although it talks about and affirms those women it also speaks positively about women who work and consecrated women.

John Paul II wrote:

“Thank you, women who work! You are present and active in every area of life-social, economic, cultural, artistic and political. In this way you make an indispensable contribution to the growth of a culture which unites reason and feeling, to a model of life ever open to the sense of “mystery”, to the establishment of economic and political structures ever more worthy of humanity.”

As a single Catholic woman with a career and a master’s degree, I’ve often wondered whether I’m fulfilling my purpose or calling as a Catholic woman—especially since I’m not married and don’t have children. It’s also possible that I may never marry or become a mother.

But John Paul II’s words remind me that women have a vital role in the world beyond the home.

Yes, women who are mothers and stay at home do amazing work (work honestly I don’t know if I could do) but women who dedicate their lives to spreading the Gospel in a secular world through working in any industry is equally amazing work.

JPII did not just thank women who work he also challenged them to “make an indispensable contribution to the growth of a culture which unites reason and feeling.” A challenge working women can and should meet.

Men and Women – Complement Each Other

In an ever-changing world where men and women are often interchangeable, JPII’s assertion that men and women are different (but complementary) is a breath of fresh air.

John Paul II wrote:

“Womanhood and manhood are complementary not only from the physical and psychological points of view, but also from the ontological. It is only through the duality of the “masculine” and the “feminine” that the “human” finds full realization.”

Yes, this applies to marriage and family, but it also applies to the Church and the workforce. Both men and women are needed because they bring different strengths and weaknesses.

Genius of Women

John Paul II wrote:

“It is thus my hope, dear sisters, that you will reflect carefully on what it means to speak of the “genius of women”, not only in order to be able to see in this phrase a specific part of God’s plan which needs to be accepted and appreciated, but also in order to let this genius be more fully expressed in the life of society as a whole, as well as in the life of the Church.”

He also connects Mary as the “highest expression of the feminine genius” giving us something or someone to strive for, writing:

“The Church sees in Mary the highest expression of the “feminine genius” and she finds in her a source of constant inspiration. Mary called herself the “handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38). Through obedience to the Word of God she accepted her lofty yet not easy vocation as wife and mother in the family of Nazareth. Putting herself at God’s service, she also put herself at the service of others: a service of love. Precisely through this service Mary was able to experience in her life a mysterious, but authentic “reign”. It is not by chance that she is invoked as “Queen of heaven and earth”. The entire community of believers thus invokes her; many nations and peoples call upon her as their “Queen”. For her, “to reign” is to serve! Her service is “to reign”!”

JPII talks about Mary’s obedience to the Word of God as she accepts her vocation which is not an easy one. He also talks about Mary putting herself at God’s service and the service of others. Something that women irregardless of vocation (marriage, religious life, single) can and should strive for.

As a single woman, accepting my current state of life—which may change, or may not—is not always easy. Watching friends marry and start families while feeling left behind can be painful. But I know I can use this time of singleness to glorify God.

There are things I can do now that I couldn’t do if I were married with children. If and when that day comes, my priorities will shift. I could still work but my first priority would be my family not my job. I won’t be able to dedicate as much time to writing, studying Scripture, or engaging in ministry the way I can today.

As a single woman, I appreciate being recognized for the work I do, while also being called and challenged to greatness. This is what John Paul II did in his ‘Letter to Women.’

Letter to Women (June 29, 1995)