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“Women had this interesting place in early Anabaptism...
they could move around with greater secrecy and, in some ways, greater freedom than men.”
- Dr. Kimberly Schmidt, Professor Emeritus, Eastern Mennonite University
In 1528, Agnes Linck was buying a German New Testament at a bookshop, when a schoolteacher overheard her saying something controversial and dangerous. A literate peasant, Agnes said she wanted a “pure” New Testament without all the “heresy in the preface.” Martin Luther’s ground-breaking German translation of the New Testament was first released in 1522, but it contained commentary that Agnes felt was contrary to her Anabaptist beliefs. Authorities put Agnes in a Basel, Switzerland jail for five months. She was released when the bookseller testified that he didn’t hear Agnes speak any heresies.
Dr. Kimberly Schmidt, an Eastern Mennonite University Professor Emeritus, spent her career studying the history of social movements and women’s history, including civil rights, abolition, women’s suffrage, and the progressive movement. Though primarily focused on American history, Kimberly has also researched the role of women and peasants in the Anabaptist movement.
Kimberly’s father was a prominent Mennonite minister. “As a child, I learned standard Anabaptist history.” She grew up hearing about the “Zurich three”—Ulrich Blaurock, Felix Manz, and Conrad Grebel, as well as Menno Simmons. “I don’t want to detract from their contributions, accomplishments and leadership. But, I’ve always been a little frustrated that women and peasants haven’t been given their due in the Anabaptist movement.”
Kimberly is curious about how social movements start and how they are maintained. She says Anabaptism could have completely died out because people were so harshly persecuted. The movement continued because of the decisions of normal people—like Agnes and Rudolph, the bookseller—following their religious beliefs in their everyday lives. “That’s what inspires me to study the history of ‘the little people.’”
Kimberly says that in their 1996 book Profiles of Anabaptist Women, Linda A. Huebert Hecht and C. Arnold Snyder call women “the backbone of the Anabaptist movement.” She adds, “Women had this interesting place in Anabaptism. In those days, they were considered weak and not as smart as men. This meant they could move around with greater secrecy and, in some ways, greater freedom than men. They could carry messages from house to house.”
Agnes Linck read the Bible and other Christian materials to women during their spinning and weaving sessions. As Agnes read, she formed her own opinions. Outspoken and bold, she called priests unlearned since they couldn’t or didn’t read the Bible. In 1528, authorities apprehended Agnes again. “Usually, when somebody was caught for the second time, the authorities executed them almost immediately,” says Kimberly. According to historic court records, Agnes defended herself in court and was released after a day in jail—with no discipline. At first, the court interrogator said that Agnes must swear an oath recanting Anabaptism, which she opposed. Ultimately, authorities did not fine Agnes or make her swear an oath. “Agnes was able to talk her way out of two courtroom appearances in two different towns!”
Kimberly tells the story of another woman who contributed significantly to Anabaptism. As a member of the lesser nobility, Helena von Freiburg had a castle in Hall, Austria just up the road from Innsbruck. Helena outwitted authorities as she harboured Anabaptist refugees. Eventually, she was caught and had to leave her homeland in the Tirol region. But she died peacefully in Augsburg, Germany after setting up small house churches, supporting Anabaptist communities, and exhorting Anabaptists.
Hall, Austria was a hotbed of Anabaptist activity back in the early 16th century. Dora Taya Mahler lived in this town near Innsbruck. Another courageous woman, Dora did not stop her Anabaptist activities even after being arrested once. When she was caught the second time, Dora was almost immediately drowned in the Inn River. Kimberly discovered an interesting family connection in this well-preserved, “gorgeous” medieval town that was not bombed during World War II. When Kimberly told her mother she was going to Hall to explore Anabaptist history, she said, “Oh, our people are from Hall.” All this time, Kimberly thought she was descended from Swiss Anabaptists. “If you go back far enough, we have a significant Austrian connection in this beautiful town!”
In May 2025, Kimberly co-led a heritage tour with her colleague Mary S. Sprunger called Radical Reformation @ 500: Gender and Class. Travellers visited Anabaptist sites in Austria, Czechia, Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands. The tour included a special emphasis on how women and peasants shaped the Anabaptist movement.
TourMagination owners Richard and Diane Bergmann were intrigued as they developed this custom tour for alumni and friends of Eastern Mennonite University. “We asked Kimberly if she would share her unique perspective and knowledge by taking our traveller community to a new and unique area,” says Richard. Pending sufficient interest, Kimberly will lead the new Austria & Italy: Untold Stories of Women, Peasants & the Anabaptist Witness in Fall 2026! “This tour, will expand travellers definitions of early Anabaptists,” says Kimberly.” She adds, “It will also cause us to reflect on our own beliefs and what’s happening in our time. I hope people will be inspired by these people who were courageous and stood up for what they believed in.”
— Dr. Kimberly Schmidt, Professor Emeritus, Eastern Mennonite University and TourMagination tour leader.
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