In a league of her own

Although Mary Slessor was a missionary, she demystified and secularized the understanding of natural phenomenon. This includes her choice to live alone in the no-go-part of the forest and her struggle for the right to live for twins. She also became fluent in the Efik language, of which she often used with humour and sarcasm to reinforce her arguments. Unlike most missionaries, she lived through out in native style and became thoroughly conversant with the culture and customs, and the day-to-day lives of the people.
She was bold in her ministry and fearless as she travelled from village to village. Mary rescued hundreds of twin babies thrown out into the forest, prevented many wars, stopped the practice of trying to determine guilt by making them drink poison, healed the sick, and told the people about the great God of love whose Son came to earth to die on the cross that sinful men might have eternal life.
Her childhood lifestyle simplicity made this fairly achieved. Life in the Calabar region meant very little. Slavery was common and to kill a child, a woman or a slave meant nothing. Mary Slessor was saddened, up to her death, by lack of respect and value for life the people portrayed.