02/24/2026
Back in 2024 we published this children's story and illustration about Margaret Fell, as part of the George Fox 400 celebrations.
Now it's Margaret Fell's turn. Please feel free to read, share and use these resources with children at your meeting or Friends Church.
Margaret’s message
Once upon a time there was a woman called Margaret Fell, who wanted to change the world.
Ever since she was a child she had known about men arguing over land and religion, then sending armies to fight against each other.
Margaret saw the suffering which was the result of war, and knew deep within her there must be a better way. But in those days, for the most part, women were expected to be quiet and not say what they thought in public.
One day she received a very surprising visitor. He had long messy hair and looked as if he hadn’t washed for some time, or even slept in a bed. Instead of fighting in wars, he had spent his life talking with ordinary people, and had recently had a vision at the top of a hill. His name was George Fox.
They began to pray together, in silence, with others who were part of the household. In the stillness Margaret felt herself shaking a little, then found herself on her feet speaking for herself, sharing out loud the words that had been inside her for so long.
The next week they met again, and the next week again, and again, as other men and women joined too. Afterwards they carried the news of what was happening to elsewhere in the country and then around the world, including what at the time was a shocking event: women were speaking in religious meetings!
There were many powerful men who heard about this, and didn’t like it at all. They said that the Bible didn’t allow women to speak in this way and even accused these women of witchcraft! But Margaret knew the Bible very well indeed and showed that there have long been female Christian leaders, even in the time of Jesus.
A few years later, a new King came to power. He didn’t understand the ideas of Margaret and George and feared they were plotting against him.
Margaret had already spent years standing up for the right of women to speak. Now it was time to speak directly to the most powerful man in the country. With a mix of confidence and nervousness, she wrote a letter, climbed on to her horse, and rode until she arrived in London, to give it to him directly.
The ruler was surprised and impressed with what he heard, and promised to protect Margaret’s group. But he didn’t keep his promise. George, Margaret and people they knew were arrested just for meeting together. Even children were punished for continuing to gather together when their parents were taken away.
When Margaret was thrown in prison, she wrote her ideas down. Even when she was behind bars, her message kept spreading and the group kept growing.
After many years the government had to admit that their efforts had not worked. Without violence, the people Margaret helped lead had won the right to meet together as they wished.
By sharing her message when others said she should stay silent, Margaret showed the power of a peaceful movement speaking up for the equality of women. Even centuries later her words still inspire us to keep making change.
Image by Marcela Teran/Liberation Works
