#InternationalWomensDay The church often venerates tales of women who chose “death before dishonor.” Shame helps keep women in their “place.” The story of Godiva of Coventry, who rode naked through the town of Coventry for the sake of the poor, reflects a different kind of honor.
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Godiva begged her husband to relieve his subjects of a crushing tax burden. He agreed, on a condition she would surely refuse—that she ride naked through the market before all the people. To his surprise she accepted the challenge, thus turning the shame back on him.
The townspeople honored her by closing their doors as she passed. Unlike other legendary heroes—Robin Hood, William Tell—Godiva brandished no weapon. She rode into battle armed only with “the sword of the spirit,” clad only with “the breastplate of righteousness.”
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