See if this is closer to what you need. As always, read and revise.<br /><br />
<p>In the early days of Sunday schools, women played integral roles and provided religion and education along the frontier to those youths who may otherwise have been denied both.<a name="_ftnref"></a><a href="../messages#_ftn1">[1]</a>&nbsp; These schools were essentially independent and therefore did not require ordained clergymen. This situation actually broadened the schools&rsquo; outreach. These schools, which were led mainly by women, either preceded the establishment of new churches or substituted for the churches altogether. Reform movements such as Sunday schools emerged as the nation transitioned from a state-established religion towards its citizens making their own voluntary religious choices.</p>
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<p>(If the last line was supposed to be a quote, then quote/cite it. If it&rsquo;s now a paraphrase, it still needs a citation.)</p>