Religious History of American Women

More than a generation after the rise of womens 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 womens stories change our understanding of American religious history and American womens 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 womens rights movement, Judaism, witchcraft trials, the civil rights movement, Catholicism, everyday religious life, Puritanism, African American womens activism, and the Enlightenment the volume enhances our understanding of both religious history and womens history. Taken together, these essays sound the call for a new, more inclusive history.Contributors:Ann Braude, Harvard Divinity SchoolCatherine A. Brekus, University of Chicago Divinity SchoolAnthea D. Butler, University of RochesterEmily Clark, Tulane UniversityKathleen Sprows Cummings, University of Notre DameAmy Koehlinger, Florida State UniversityJanet Moore Lindman, Rowan UniversitySusanna Morrill, Lewis and Clark CollegeKristy Nabhan-Warren, Augustana CollegePamela S. Nadell, American UniversityElizabeth Reis, University of OregonMarilyn J. Westerkamp, University of California, Santa Cruz