3Leadership in the Catholic Church is often identified with sacramental ministry. On that basis it is widely perceived that women have no influence in the Church. Yet, as this book shows, women in fact occupy a range of leadership roles across the landscape of Catholic ministries, from the parish and diocesan level to national organizations in the field of education, healthcare, communications, and social service. Sixteen of their stories are featured, tracing the challenges many of them have faced along the way (including clericalism). The book also highlights the gifts and experience that women often bring, thus imparting lessons that pertain to every person called to leadership in the church.