Amelia Randall, Elinor Thornton, Nell Jones, Mere Pou, Dame Vivienne Boyd - women whose stories history has overlooked. These and others acted at a time when "acceptable" roles for women were defined by a world that favoured men. Whether behind the scenes or in the public eye, whether single, married or widowed, and frequently in non-traditional ways, these called and determined women took, with God's help, the next step against the odds.

This book tells 36 stories, plus the story of the Baptist Women's Missionary Union. Filling a gap in Baptist history, and the history of New Zealand Christianity in general, They Carved a Wider Place for Women shows how God may offer unexpected opportunities to serve, and inspires us to pursue our own unique calling.