Sophia Blanche Lyon Fahs (August 2, 1876 – April 14, 1978) was an editor, author, teacher, and religious activist who led a revolution in Unitarian religious education. Fahs received her B.A. from the College of Wooster in 1897, as well as an honorary degree in 1961. She received her M.A. from the Teachers College of Columbia University (1904) and her B.D. from Union Theological Seminary (1926). From 1927-1944, she served as one of the first female faculty members at Union Theological Seminary as instructor in Religious Education. In 1945 she joined a Unitarian congregation, and in 1959 she became the first female professor to be ordained as a Unitarian minister. Beginning in 1937 and continuing until her retirement in 1964, Fahs worked for the American Unitarian Association as editor of children’s materials for a new religious curriculum called “The New Beacon Series.” She authored or co-authored more than 40 books and even more articles, retiring at the age of eighty-eight. She died at the age of 101, leaving behind a legacy of religious and educational progressivism. The Liberal Religious Educators Association sponsors the annual Sophia Lyon Fahs lecture at the General Assembly every year in her honor. 

Sophia is an inspiration to me as a religious educator – strong, smart, creative, dedicated and an out of the box thinker. Without her, Unitarian Universalism wouldn’t have the absolutely incredible religious education program it does today; and then I wouldn’t be a UU. My parents joined the church after I was born so I could be raised in a community that allowed me to explore and create my own faith. So where would I be today if it wasn’t for Sophia? 

My present; Her past; Our future.