ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Philadelphia Eleven

The Philadelphia Eleven were eleven women who became the first women to be ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church in America in 1974. Before this time, only men could become priests or pastors in the Episcopal Church.

These eleven women were unhappy that they could not become priests simply because of their gender. They believed that women should be allowed to serve in leadership roles within the church just like men could. So, they decided to challenge the church's rules and fight for equal opportunities for women.

After much discussion and debate, the women were finally able to convince the church officials to allow them to be ordained as priests. This was a very important moment in history because it showed that women could be just as capable and qualified as men to lead in religious communities.

So, the Philadelphia Eleven were a group of eleven brave women who helped to shatter the gender barrier in the Episcopal Church and pave the way for future women to take on leadership roles in religious communities.