The first feminists in history?

"Sharing stories is often the way that sparks new ways of thinking about things we take for granted." that is what Joyce Meyer says in her article
about Laura Swan's book about the Beguines 

Adult women during the Middle Ages were expected to live either as a wife and mother, or dedicated to the Church and living in a convent as a nun. The Beguines questioned this concept and lived outside of these set boundaries. Women who entered Beguinages (Beguine houses and/or convents) were not bound by permanent vows, in contrast to women who entered convents. They could enter Beguinages having already been married and with children and they could leave the Beguinages to marry.

Meyer mentions in her article that

“The movement began in Belgium sometime in the mid 1100s and created much controversy. Who could accept that women might live a life of prayer, dedication to God and service to the poor outside canonically recognized Benedictine or Dominican cloisters and governed by men? Unthinkable!

Without the securities of cloistered life, the Beguines developed businesses to support themselves and their ministries to the poor, particularly women and children. Most lived alone, sometimes near a church, and others lived in small communities. The women did not make formal vows but remained celibate for life or as long as they chose and designed their own “way of life.” As this new life style developed and attracted members, Beguine villages were built, some of which are still standing today.”

Very interesting to know what happened during the Inquisition with them too.

Short video with info about the Beguines 

and in case you were very interested in the topic, a longer one