The Religious History of American Women - by Catherine a Brekus (Paperback)

About the Book

Religious History of American Women: Reimagining the Past

Book Synopsis

More than a generation after the rise of women's history alongside the feminist movement, it is still difficult, observes Catherine Brekus, to locate women in histories of American religion. Mary Dyer, a Quaker who was hanged for heresy; Lizzie Robinson, a former slave and laundress who sold Bibles door to door; Sally Priesand, a Reform rabbi; Estela Ruiz, who saw a vision of the Virgin Mary--how do these women's stories change our understanding of American religious history and American women's history?

In this provocative collection of twelve essays, contributors explore how considering the religious history of American women can transform our dominant historical narratives. Covering a variety of topics--including Mormonism, the women's rights movement, Judaism, witchcraft trials, the civil rights movement, Catholicism, everyday religious life, Puritanism, African American women's activism, and the Enlightenment--the volume enhances our understanding of both religious history and women's history. Taken together, these essays sound the call for a new, more inclusive history.

The contributors are Ann Braude, Catherine A. Brekus, Anthea D. Butler, Emily Clark, Kathleen Sprows Cummings, Amy Koehlinger, Janet Moore Lindman, Susanna Morrill, Kristy Nabhan-Warren, Pamela S. Nadell, Elizabeth Reis, and Marilyn J. Westerkamp.


Contributors:
Ann Braude, Harvard Divinity School
Catherine A. Brekus, University of Chicago Divinity School
Anthea D. Butler, University of Rochester
Emily Clark, Tulane University
Kathleen Sprows Cummings, University of Notre Dame
Amy Koehlinger, Florida State University
Janet Moore Lindman, Rowan University
Susanna Morrill, Lewis and Clark College
Kristy Nabhan-Warren, Augustana College
Pamela S. Nadell, American University
Elizabeth Reis, University of Oregon
Marilyn J. Westerkamp, University of California, Santa Cruz

Review Quotes

"Reminds readers that a history that includes women will both enrich and alter one's understanding of American religious history. . . . Recommended."
-- "CHOICE"

"The editor's programmatic introduction combines with well-researched and creatively conceived individual chapters to produce a landmark volume."
-- "Christian Century"

"These essays challenge historians to question the traditional narratives of the religious history of America . . . [and] provide models that can be used for further exploration and incorporation of women into American religious history."
-- "The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society"

"These twelve essays make fascinating reading. Together they make clear how much we miss of American religious history if we ignore the role of women of many ethnic and religious backgrounds."
-- "The Catholic Historical Review"

_Reminds readers that a history that includes women will both enrich and alter one_s understanding of American religious history. . . . Recommended."
- "CHOICE"

_The editor_s programmatic introduction combines with well-researched and creatively conceived individual chapters to produce a landmark volume._
- "Christian Century"

aReminds readers that a history that includes women will both enrich and alter oneas understanding of American religious history. . . . Recommended."
-- "CHOICE"

aThe editoras programmatic introduction combines with well-researched and creatively conceived individual chapters to produce a landmark volume.a
-- "Christian Century"

About the Author

Catherine A. Brekus is associate professor of the history of Christianity at the University of Chicago Divinity School and author of Strangers and Pilgrims: Female Preaching in America, 1740-1845 (from the University of North Carolina Press).