Mary Slessor
1848 - 1915
1848 - 1915
2 December 1848 - Mary Mitchell Slessor was born in Aberdeen, Scotland into a life of poverty and hardship. However, her family's deep Christian faith instilled in her a strength of spirit from a young age. When her father's illness left him unable to work, the 11-year-old Mary was forced to begin working 12-hour days as a mill worker to support her family. The gruelling labour could not suppress her vibrant Christian faith.
In 1876, at age 28, Mary attended a missionary meeting where she felt a powerful calling from God to pursue missionary work in Calabar, Nigeria with the United Presbyterian Church. Her faith gave her the courage to leave behind her home and family to serve as a teacher in the Calabar region. Mary immersed herself in the local culture, learning the Efik language and customs. Her devotion to spreading Christian teachings was balanced by her respect for the people she served.
Mary's faith soon led her to fight against the age-old practice of killing new born twins, which was permitted in certain Nigerian communities but abhorred by her Christian beliefs in the sanctity of human life. She saved numerous twin babies by adopting them herself or finding others to care for them. Over time, her compassion for the local people earned their trust and respect.
In 1892, she was given the highest honour of being adopted into the Efik tribe, becoming known as the "Mother of all the Peoples."
Her Christian principles of justice, integrity and equal rights guided all her actions. In 1905, an unprecedented achievement for a woman at the time, she was elected as the first female magistrate in the British Empire. Her reputation for rendering fair judgments, rooted in Biblical teachings, made her a respected arbiter of local disputes.
Throughout her 35 years of missionary work, Mary Slessor's faith was unwavering. She selflessly dedicated herself to improving lives through education, healthcare, and spiritual guidance. Her strong Christian convictions compelled her to fight against the injustice of discriminatory practices and enforce moral disciplines with wisdom. When naturally exposed to malaria, blackwater fever, and other tropical diseases, her spiritual vigour and personal fortitude overcame every ailment.
January 13, 1915 - at age 67, Mary passed away in Calabar after over three decades of pioneering missionary work. Her memorial service in Calabar drew the largest cohort of mourners ever witnessed, testifying to the tremendous impact of her service to the local people. Mary Slessor's legacy was that of a missionary whose faith could not be constrained by boundaries of nation, culture or circumstance. Her selfless Christian spirit transformed the lives of countless individuals while also shaping the ethical evolution of the British Empire itself.
Stopping Infanticide of Twins
Mary was appalled by the widespread practice in Nigeria of killing new born twins, which was considered an evil omen. Her Christian belief in the sanctity of every human life compelled her to take action. She saved numerous twin babies by adopting them herself or finding families to care for them, often having to overcome physical threats. Her love and compassion slowly helped erode this long-held cultural superstition.
Promoting Education
Driven by her Christian duty to spread knowledge, Mary established numerous elementary schools and aimed to provide children with a basic education. She believed literacy could uplift the people and provide a path out of superstition and ignorance. Many of the schools included Bible study.
Prohibiting Domestic Violence
Mary firmly opposed the widespread acceptance of domestic violence against women through her Christian beliefs of gender equality and human dignity. She lectured village chiefs on these teachings and enacted legal reforms to prohibit wife beating and protect women's rights.
Fighting Against the Slave Trade
Her faith viewed slavery as an abominable practice stripping humans of God-given freedoms. Mary actively condemned capturing slaves and worked to have offenders prosecuted under British law. She provided shelter to refugees fleeing slavers.
Championing Humane Working Conditions
Inspired by Jesus' teachings on social justice, Mary advocated for improvements in settlements populated by workers of European companies. She lobbied for housing with proper ventilation, sanitation, and medical care based on Christian virtues of mercy.
In all these examples, Mary Slessor's devotion to Christian morality, compassion and principles shaped her brave actions to reform cultural practices she viewed as unjust, inhumane and contradictory to God's teachings.
As an early advocate for women's rights, Mary was deeply disturbed by the widespread acceptance of domestic violence and maltreatment of women in Nigerian society. This conflicted with her Christian principles of gender equality and respect for human dignity.
In 1904, Mary used her influence and growing respect among local leaders to help enact the first legal prohibitions against domestic abuse and wife beating in the region controlled by the British vice-consul. She lectured village chiefs and male leaders on why these practices violated Christian teachings.
When chosen as the first female magistrate in the British Empire in 1905, Mary gained legal authority to uphold these reforms. She actively prosecuted cases of wife beating, assault and other violence against women brought before her court.
Mary also ruled against certain cultural traditions that she viewed as denigrating to women's rights according to her faith. This included prohibiting the practice of forcing women into marriage against their will.
Through her court judgments, Mary promoted more equitable property rights and inheritance laws for women, who were often stripped of assets and possessions by male relatives after being widowed. She based these judgments on biblical principles of justice.
Additionally, Mary championed women's access to education and literacy, which was limited in Nigerian societies. She established some of the region's first educational opportunities for young girls.
By combating deeply entrenched cultural norms and traditions, Mary Slessor was a pioneer in using her devout Christian faith to champion women's rights and protections over 60 years before the modern human rights movement emerged.
Family Members:
• Robert Slessor (father) - A shoemaker who instilled a strong Christian faith in Mary from a young age despite the family's poverty.
• Mary Slessor (mother) - Raised Mary with firm Christian values after her husband became ill.
Early Influences:
• Dr. Robson (family physician) - Encouraged Mary's interest in missionary work and supported her call to Nigeria.
• Rev. Quartermine Inglis - Minister who further inspired Mary's missionary zeal through his sermons.
Missionary Colleagues:
• Rev. Hugh Goldie - Senior missionary who mentored Mary when she first arrived in Calabar in 1876.
• Charles Morrison - Missionary who worked closely with Mary and witnessed her adoption into the Efik tribe.
Nigerian Influences:
• Chief Eyo Honesty II - An Efik chief who became one of Mary's closest friends and facilitated her adoption into the tribe in 1892.
• Prince Eyo Honesty VII - Son of the previous chief who also formed a strong bond with Mary.
• Henrietta - A young Nigerian woman Mary rescued from violence who became her companion and helper.
Mary formed deep connections with the people of Nigeria through her decades of missionary service. Her life was profoundly shaped by both Scottish Christian mentors who inspired her calling, as well as local Nigerian leaders who accepted her into their communities due to her compassion.