Julia Ogilvy interviews twelve of the most notable Christian women of our time, exploring their disappointments, ambitions and hope for the future place of women in the Church.

The role of women in the Christian Church has been the subject of heated debate in recent years. This July the Church of England's General Synod vote approving the ordination of women bishops announced a new era for women in the church, ushered in after almost 100 years of campaigning.

In this powerful book, Julia Ogilvy provides a telling and at times shocking analysis of the situation today. The women - from the Dean of York and the Presiding Bishop in America to Helena Kennedy QC and Dr Elaine Storkey - share some of the pain, disappointment and hurt they have experienced and reflect on the impact of a patriarchal Church on the suffering of women across the world.

Their stories are very different but they all share a remarkable faith, humility and determination to fulfil their own calling. Each one is an inspiration to women everywhere and provides a unique insight into the role of the leader in any profession.

Contributors include: Lucy Winkett, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Sheila Watson, Vivienne Faull, Jane Williams, Elaine Storkey, Sarah Coakley, Helena Kennedy, Alison Elliot, Tamsin Merchant, Katherine Jefferts Schori, and Chilton Knudsen.