In many denominations of Christianity the ordination of women is a relatively recent phenomenon within the life of the Church. As opportunities for women have expanded in the last 50 years, those ordained women who broke new ground or took on roles not traditionally held by women in the Church have been and continue to be considered notable. This list includes ordained ministers, bishops and other church leaders who have made an impact on their Christian denomination, or have been recognized as pathbreakers. Due to historical differences deaconesses will not be included. In Presbyterianism, Methodism and a few other denominations the ordination of women predates 1900 and is now common enough to be unremarkable. Therefore, most ordained women clergy in these denominations are not included. Where women are making ground-breaking strides in those denominations, some individuals are included.
Ludmila Javorová - made public in 1995 her claim to have been ordained in 1970 during Communist rule in Czechoslovakia. The ordination of Javorová, although officiated by a bishop in communion with the Pope, was declared to be invalid.
Several Catholic groups not in communion with the Pope allow women to be ordained.