Women of Other Faiths
Using common values contained in their respective teachings, women of all religious traditions can work together and collaborate in many areas especially peace building and women’s empowerment. Collectively women of all faiths can learn from each other’s struggles and histories, while showing support for women’s religious leadership roles worldwide. Please contribute to this archive by suggesting women of all faiths to be featured through our recommendation form.
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Gracia Mendes Nasi
I realized I had the power and opportunity to help Jews in many places and I spent the rest of my life doing just that.
Known For: Wealthy Philanthropist and Jewish Leader
Dates: 1510 – 1569
Faith: Judaism
Country: Portugal
About
Gracia Mendes was born in Portugal in 1510. Her Christian name was Beatrice de Luna. Her family was Jewish, so, like other marranos, she kept her faith hidden out of fear of the Inquisition. Mendes became wealthy after joining her brother’s international banking and trading empire, and, eventually, she took over his business after his death in 1542. Her influence grew and she would deal with King Henry II of France, King Henry VIII of England, King Charles V of Spain, Pope Paul III and Pope Paul IV, Suleiman the Magnificent, and the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Mendes realized the power of wealth and spent her money wisely by helping a great number of people. She established yeshivas, or centers for Jewish study, and synagogues and spent a great deal of resources trying to take care of the poor. She helped Marranos escape persecution and relocate to Turkey, and organized a trade embargo on the Pope’s lands. She was arrested several times for helping evicted families.
Although she was denounced by her sister, nothing stopped her from helping Jewish people. Mendes settled in Ferrara of Italy, where she openly declared herself a Jew. She continued to help a large number of Jews hiding their identity. She became the patroness of scholars.
Sources
Birnbaum, Marianna D. 2003. The Long Journey of Gracia Mendes. Budapest; New York: Central European University Press.
