The role of women in dissident religious movements in medieval Europe has been much contested over the last few decades. Earlier scholarship often depicted them as especially drawn to heretical teachings, but recent research suggests their participation was less significant than previously believed. However, most studies have focused on the presence and importance of women in the religious elites of these movements. In contrast, an analysis of non-elite actors reveals that women were essential to the social fabric of dissident networks. Women facilitated the spread of dissident beliefs and practices through kinship and friendship ties, and although they were statistically a minority, their relational dynamics were crucial for the resilience of these movements. Furthermore, the emphasis on Latin literacy by Church authorities has further enhanced the leading roles of literate men and obscured the contributions of the laity, particularly women. By reevaluating women’s roles and vernacular and oral literacies, we gain a deeper understanding of their impact on religious dissent in the European Middle Ages, challenging traditional narratives of male intellectual leadership.