Didn Mrs. White encourage women to participate in the work of the church?
Yes, she did. Noting a “sphere” in which God had called and equipped women to work (see Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 59), she called for greater involvement. She urged women especially to engage in personal work for women and families. A clear example of this may be found in her article, “Women to Be Gospel Workers” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, pp. 114-118). Among other things, she says there that women “can do in families a work that men cannot do, a work that reaches the inner life. They can come close to the hearts of those whom men cannot reach. Their labor is needed” (Ibid., pp. 117-118). “Sisters, God calls you to work in the harvest field and to help gather in the sheaves. . . . In the various lines of home missionary work the modest, intelligent woman may use her powers to the very highest account” (Welfare Ministry, p. 160).
