Thirty years ago, amid a society fiercely debating the role and dignity of women, a pope did something deeply personal and profoundly unexpected: he wrote a letter.
Not a policy statement. Not a theological treatise.
A letter.
And it was addressed to you.
In 1995, on the eve of the United Nations’ Fourth World Conference on Women, Pope St. John Paul II offered a tender, clear-sighted reflection titled Letter to Women. In a time marked by ideological division and cultural anxiety, he stepped into the fray not to argue, but to affirm, to thank, and to dignify. His words cut through slogans and stereotypes to acknowledge the full complexity of womanhood in the modern world.
What made the pope so uniquely attuned to the dignity and vocation of women? Perhaps the seeds were sown early, in sorrow. The future pope—then Karol Wojtyła—lost his beloved mother, Emilia, at just eight years old. A gentle, devout, and dignified woman, Emilia left a mark on her young son that absence only deepened. Having lived nearly a decade in the warmth of her maternal love, her death was a loss he would carry his entire life.
This early exposure to the beauty of feminine sensitivity and receptivity may have shaped his profound reverence for women. But it was also nourished in the living witness of real women. As a young priest and later university chaplain in Kraków, Fr. Wojtyła gathered around him a vibrant circle of young adults, many of whom were navigating love, marriage, work, and faith. These experiences were not just pastoral; they were formative, providing the young priest with an intimate experience of the complementarity between men and women—and of what he would later call the “feminine genius.” And they may have laid the groundwork for his unwavering advocacy for the dignity of women during his papacy.
Now, three decades later, confusion about what it means to be a woman seems more widespread than ever. In a culture caught between extremes—hyper-individualism and social conformity, sexual empowerment and biological denial—many women are yearning for clarity, integrity, and truth. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, many are turning to the Catholic Church for answers.
In Letter to Women, John Paul II does not offer rigid prescriptions. He does not idealize women or overlook their struggles. Rather, he acknowledges—honestly and humbly—the weight women carry and the injustices they have suffered. He opens with a powerful invitation:
I would now like to speak directly to every woman, to reflect with her on the problems and the prospects of what it means to be a woman in our time. (par. 1)
His tone is not patronizing or defensive. It is full of gratitude. He thanks women in all their vocations: mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, professionals, consecrated women, “for the simple fact of being a woman.” This seemingly ordinary line echoes with extraordinary power. In a world that often values women only for what they do, the pope thanks them for who they are.
In doing so, John Paul II gives voice to the real pain and complexity of being a woman:
Women’s dignity has often been unacknowledged, and their prerogatives misrepresented; they have often been relegated to the margins of society and even reduced to servitude. This has prevented women from truly being themselves and it has resulted in a spiritual impoverishment of humanity. (par. 3)
He does not shy away from the limitations—both biological and social—that women face: the physical cycles that mark our bodies, the reality of discrimination and harassment, the unrelenting demands of balancing work and family, and the ever-present threat of violence. He names it. And in naming it, he dignifies it.
When it comes to setting women free from every kind of exploitation and domination, the Gospel contains an ever relevant message which goes back to the attitude of Jesus Christ himself. Transcending the established norms of his own culture, Jesus treated women with openness, respect, acceptance and tenderness. In this way he honoured the dignity which women have always possessed according to God’s plan and in his love. (par. 3)
His insights remain strikingly relevant. A poignant parallel appears in the 2023 Barbie movie, when the character Gloria delivers a monologue that struck a chord with millions of women. She laments the impossibility of “doing womanhood right”: we must be attractive but not too attractive, strong but not intimidating, ambitious but not aggressive. The target is always moving—and always shrinking.
This mirrors John Paul II’s recognition that the world often sets impossible standards for women. But instead of discouragement, he offers hope. He delineates the feminine genius—that unique capacity in women to see the person, to nurture life, to affirm dignity. And he does so not just as a compliment, but as a call. He invites women to fully embrace their vocation—not as a burden, but as a blessing.
For in giving themselves to others each day women fulfill their deepest vocation. Perhaps more than men, women acknowledge the person, because they see persons with their hearts. They see them independently of various ideological or political systems. In this way the basic plan of the Creator takes flesh in the history of humanity . . . (par. 12)
In light of today’s gender debates, identity crises, and social pressures, Letter to Women feels almost tailor-made for this moment in history. One wonders if John Paul II, with his usual prophetic intuition, wrote it not only for 1995—but also for 2025.
So what can you do?
Download the letter from the Vatican’s website. Read it slowly. Reflect on its wisdom. Or better yet, gather a group of women—friends, sisters, fellow moms, women from your parish—and read it together. Then talk about it. The Endow study on Letter to Women is the perfect resource for doing just that in a small group rooted in faith and friendship. As you discover your feminine genius and cultivate it together, you may find yourself more fully alive. More anchored in your identity as a beloved daughter of God. More free to be who God created you to be. More determined to fulfill your unique vocation as daughter, sister, wife, mother, sister, colleague, boss, or friend.
Because the world needs women who know who they are.
And maybe now more than ever, it needs women who can mirror the strength and power of feminine dignity and vocation to the next generation—our daughters, goddaughters, nieces, students, and friends—many who are in desperate need of understanding their identity, their vital and irreplaceable role in society and their uniquely personal vocation.
So this summer, make time for this letter. Let it shape your understanding of womanhood. And as you do, remember: you were created for a purpose. Because you matter. Your life has eternal significance.
And in your own way, you too are called to build the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Author’s Note: Endow is a global Catholic apostolate that calls women together to deepen their faith through exploring the timeless wisdom of the Church. Letter to Women, Endow’s most popular and foundational study, uncovers profound reflections on human dignity and reveals timeless truths, helping women rediscover the beauty and the power of their feminine genius. To learn more about Endow, including how to start an Endow group in your home, parish or online, visit endowgroups.org.
Photo by Jonathan Gallegos on Unsplash
