In history many capable women appear who have displayed special genius in government and political administration, such as Semiramis; Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, and Queen Victoria, of England. In the religious world,—the Israelites wandered for forty years in the wilderness and could not conquer the Holy Land. Finally a woman achieved the signal victory. During the Christian dispensation the apostles became agitated after the Crucifixion of Jesus; even Peter denied Him thrice, but Mary Magdalene became the cause of their becoming firm and steadfast. In the religion of Baha’u’llah, Qurrat al-‘Ayn [Tahirih] and many other Persian women demonstrated their knowledge and wisdom to such an extent that even the men were astonished, and listened to their advices and lectures.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha from an interview with a San Francisco newspaper reporter, October 3, 1912; Star of the West volume 4, no. 12, October 16, 1913)