2008 Woodie Awards
Lecture discusses race and feminism within Catholicism
Keirstin Gaspare '11
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: News
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On Monday, Sept. 24, M. Shawn Copeland, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology at Boston College, and Diane Batts Morrow, Ph.D. Associate Professor of History and African American Studies at University of Georgia, presented a lecture on race and feminism within the Catholic Church.
Morrow began the lecture by sharing with the audience her essay on the famed Oblate Sisterhood. It is the world's first successful sisterhood established by Roman Catholic women of African descent.
Morrow's opening statement was thought provoking, advocating that Catholicism involves "…demanding constant examination of the self."
In her well-articulated essay, Morrow gave a history of the Oblate Sisterhood and an in-depth look into their mission and work.
According to Morrow, the sisterhood focused on self improvement through intellect. An accomplished woman herself, Morrow's praise of the sisterhood's community work of teaching children, particularly black girls, makes sense.
Morrow said the sisters gave the underprivileged girls "values and ideals beyond what white society thought capable of black girls."
Morrow has dedicated much of her time and energy into compiling and analyzing information on the Oblate Sisterhood. Her counterpart, Copeland, has given equally as much time and energy to researching feminism within the Church.
Copeland began her presentation with a historical review of feminism within theology and the Church as well. When asked how she felt about women in the Church, she gave the audience an interesting response.
"If there is no place for women, there is no place for Jesus."
Copeland further emphasized her hope that women might someday be in the Church, stating, "There have been plenty of other changes that have been made in the Church; there may be another one."
After Morrow and Copeland both spoke, they spent time answering questions ranging from why they chose their respective topics to women subjecting their bodies to the public eye.
Morrow began the lecture by sharing with the audience her essay on the famed Oblate Sisterhood. It is the world's first successful sisterhood established by Roman Catholic women of African descent.
Morrow's opening statement was thought provoking, advocating that Catholicism involves "…demanding constant examination of the self."
In her well-articulated essay, Morrow gave a history of the Oblate Sisterhood and an in-depth look into their mission and work.
According to Morrow, the sisterhood focused on self improvement through intellect. An accomplished woman herself, Morrow's praise of the sisterhood's community work of teaching children, particularly black girls, makes sense.
Morrow said the sisters gave the underprivileged girls "values and ideals beyond what white society thought capable of black girls."
Morrow has dedicated much of her time and energy into compiling and analyzing information on the Oblate Sisterhood. Her counterpart, Copeland, has given equally as much time and energy to researching feminism within the Church.
Copeland began her presentation with a historical review of feminism within theology and the Church as well. When asked how she felt about women in the Church, she gave the audience an interesting response.
"If there is no place for women, there is no place for Jesus."
Copeland further emphasized her hope that women might someday be in the Church, stating, "There have been plenty of other changes that have been made in the Church; there may be another one."
After Morrow and Copeland both spoke, they spent time answering questions ranging from why they chose their respective topics to women subjecting their bodies to the public eye.
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