By Arlene Markowski My mother, Ydalba, was a farmer, born in Mérida, Venezuela. This terraced plateau of the Andes Mountains birthed my mother to María, who was conceived by Flor, all peasant farmers. This matriarchal lineage of experiential knowledge taught me that the right conditions for a bountiful harvest depend not only on sun, soil, and […]
By Catherine Montgomery At The Lighthouse, a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth and their parents, I have had the privilege of knowing trans minors and adults for whom gender-affirming healthcare has been critically important to their wellness. I have seen these friends work exhaustively to access therapies that help them thrive. In the U.S., severe […]
By Emily Rutledge During a time when Romans ruled, and many Jewish leaders straddled the empire and the Torah-it was Jesus who came to turn the establishment upside down and extend the love of God wide. Jesus taught that the outsider was in, that abundance was possible, and that love was the way. The feeding […]
By Julia Madden In the Gospel of Mark 7:24-30, we find an unexpected encounter between Jesus and a Syrophoenician woman. It is a story in which Jesus, who often holds the role of teacher and healer, is challenged and ultimately “schooled” by a woman with no perceived social power. This text highlights the importance of recognizing […]
Over the years, Dr. Kate Ott has helped shape the voices, questions, and commitments of feminist studies in religion. As she steps back from her role, we honor her legacy by revisiting some of her most impactful contributions. Thanks to a special arrangement with Indiana University Press, the following articles by Dr. Ott will be […]
By Courtney O’Banion Smith. In her book Dawn, Octavia E. Butler scrutinizes issues of patriarchy and gender through the protagonist, Lilith. The Oankali—a terrifying, biotechnologically superior alien species—all but force this African American woman to become the thankless savior of humanity. A self-proclaimed feminist, Butler’s fiction often features Black women as strong, complicated heroes through […]
By Alexiana Fry. I had the pleasure of recently presenting alongside several others at a conference called “Barbie and the Bible: Conversations in Pop Culture, Gender, and Theology,” put on by Fuller Seminary and the University of Dayton. In preparing for the event, I packed all of the pink I had—which admittedly was not challenging […]
By Tamisha Tyler, EFSR Co-Editor In the Summer of 2023, American audiences were delighted with the new Barbie movie. The film not only sparked nostalgia in its audiences, but it also served as a take on women’s empowerment and discovery. Its commercial success led many to consider how Barbie changed our lives and culture. These […]
By Jaeda Calaway. She stands with hands raised to each side, crayon marks on her face, an ill-fitting dress with paint stains, and hair haphazardly cut short. She is “Weird Barbie.” She offers “Stereotypical Barbie” a choice represented by the shoes she holds. A pink high heel represents the past Stereotypical Barbie seeks to restore […]
The FSR Blog is issuing an Open Call for a new @theTable series on Black Women & Religion in Speculative Fiction. We are looking for blogs that explore themes of Black womanhood, religion/spirituality, and feminism in fantasy, science fiction, magical realism, time travel, etc. Blogs on Black women authors and characters are welcome. Some guiding […]