The women of the church
The Church at Kent embraces traditional gender roles
“I try to dress modest,” says Katie Randles, who sits in Jason Robinson’s kitchen with her daughter, Gabriella. “I think it’s really important not to cause our brothers to stumble, and we can be held responsible for that.”
Some of the women’s head coverings are no more elaborate than a simple bandanna or piece of cloth tied in a knot at the nape of the neck.
Sandra Weimer says she covers her head because her husband, Gary, likes it. She said the head coverings are not that important physically but are more about being obedient to one's husband.
Sandra Weimer, a mother of five from rural New York state, says her head covering has a lot to do with obedience and showing respect for her husband’s authority.
“People see women in long dresses and head coverings and say, ‘Oh, they must be slaves’ or, ‘They must be out of their minds,’” she says.
While some people make assumptions about her family life or her mental condition, many are just curious about why she wears her head covering, and she isn’t bothered by people asking questions, Weimer says.
“Most people just want to know why (I wear a head covering), and I’m more than happy to tell them,” she says.
None of the women in attendance is wearing pants, and some women in the church don’t even own a pair.
“For the sake of some people being offended, I don’t wear pants. And it’s very hard to find a pair of pants that are modest,” says Heather Rolli, the wife of one of the elders of the church. “There’s nothing wrong with wearing pants. If you can wear a pair of pants and be modest, that’s fine.”
But the Church at Kent’s ultra-conservative views of women’s rights and responsibilities goes beyond women’s apparel.
“Women, God created you to have children and be a wife and mother,” says church elder James Cunningham. “There’s your career.”
Cunningham says he knows this isn’t a popular message to preach in the 21st century, but this is one of the ideals of the Church at Kent that sets it apart.
While many women outside the church see these views as oppressive and outdated, women within the church accept these beliefs, which they say are outlined in the Bible.
“The women play a very vital role,” Rolli says. “Our first place is to be a ‘help-me’ for our husbands for whatever they need to do. Then our second role is to make sure our children are taken care of.”
Many women of the church say being a “help-me” isn’t repressive. On the contrary, it gives them a sense of security.
Weimer says obeying her husband is like being beneath an umbrella.
“There’s a protection there,” she says. “If I rebel against my husband and step outside of the umbrella, that’s a dangerous place to be.”
— Beth Rankin
The Burr is produced by students at Kent State University twice per academic year.No part of The Burr may be reprinted without permission.