Maren Sørensen

Maren Sørensen (1882–1957) is considered to be the first female Danish priest. She was ordained by the independent Grundtvigian cleric Niels Dael in 1940 in Havrebjerg. Sørensen is also remembered for her extensive work as a nurse, foster mother and family carer in Southern Jutland.

Biography Born on 12 July 1882 in Varde Municipality in the west of Jutland, Maren Sørensen was the daughter of the farmer Jacob Sørensen (1842–1921) and Ane Cathrine Nielsen (1849–1900). From the age of four, she was brought up by her paternal grandparents. Her grandfather Elias S. Han was a devout Methodist who cast aspersions on those who did not conform to his beliefs. When she was 10, she returned to live with her mother, resolving to serve God with a more joyful Christian attitude. Owing to the difficulties arising from the Second World War, she was unable to work in Southern Jutland but returned to Valsbøl after the hostilities had ended. In 1948, when the Church of Denmark appointed a Danish priest in Valsbøl, Sørensen returned to Vilstrup. In 1952, she was honoured with the Order of the Dannebrog.

Maren Sørensen died in Haderslev on 4 July 1957 and is buried in Lønborg Cemetery near Tarm in the west of Jutland.