Today, each of us will certainly be remembering the countless women who have been a part of our life beginning with the one who gave us life. Then there were the wives, fiancées, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, baby-sitters, teachers, nuns, catechists, schoolmates, professors, nurses, cashiers, housekeepers, and now astronauts. Today we would like to celebrate women by presenting some thoughts by Focolare president, Maria Voce that were shared in interviews to the Brazilian television network TVNazaré, and Cidade Nova. The interviews are from 2014 when Voce visited Brazil. “The woman’s role in the Church began with Mary, in the first community of Jerusalem where she had a very particular role among the Apostles. Men’s predominant role is traceable throughout the history of the Church, above all in the roles of governance and in the ministerial priesthood which is exclusively for men. This meant that priests identified themselves with the Church hierarchy and women were represented as somehow less important in the Church. Since then an evolution has taken place not only in the Church, but in human society where women have slowly gained important roles. Perhaps in some contexts and cultures they were already acknowledged, but in western culture women had to make their way on their own.” When God created humankind in his own image and likeness he didn’t make only one creature, he made a man and a woman, two different creatures. He created them in this diversity so that they might compliment each another and bear witness, even in the diversity of their roles and functions, to humankind’s God-given filiation and therefore equality. I think this is gradually emerging in politics and society. Never before have we seen so many women among the world figures, taking on important roles as presidents of countries and states. The presence of women in the Church needs to grow, above all the witness of her specific charism; that is, to show that love is more important than governing; that you cannot govern without love.” “A greater positive feminine influence could have important effects not only for the Church but also for society. You immediately notice the presence of a woman in business, for example, in state government, because it creates a contrast and shows up that complimentarity between men and women. Pope Francis is someone who appreciates the contribution of women. The sweetness and tenderness of which he often speaks are important traits that are more feminine than masculine.” “The ability to welcome, support and give are the typical qualities of a mother who brings children into the world and, when the time comes, let’s them go. The skills of attachment and detachment also influences positively on governing. Someone asked me: ‘How can you reconcile love and governance?” I answered that you cannot govern without love. You can’t. Whenever you exercise authority without love, it’s not governance, it’s oppression.”