Gina Messina-Dysert - Faithfully Feminist: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Feminists on Why We Stay

Praise forfaithfully feminist

What a brave and powerful examination of observance and empowerment; of living within boundaries and embracing the possibilities they reveal. The importance of appreciating the challenges and simultaneous beauty of living inside of a system of observance cannot be overemphasized. This compilation does all of that and more.

Mayim Bialik, Emmy-nominated actor, The Big Bang Theory

One after another these Faithful Feminists from Abrahamic traditions tell of their journey through bias and discrimination to clarity and peace. The struggle can come within religious traditions or in secular settings, but all lead to a fuller understanding of fidelity in a complex world. In their telling many of their stories mirror and nourish my own. I am grateful for their bold willingness to share their insights and stimulate my reflection giving rise to the certainty that we are all sisters in this quest. Thank you!

Sr. Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK and founder of Nuns on the Bus

Faithfully Feminist is a must read for anyone eager to tear down biases and stereotypes surrounding the loaded concepts of both religion and feminism. This beautifully written anthology finally provides a loud and clear voice for women who are proud to call themselves feminists and believers, and serves as a wakeup call to those that believe feminism is incompatible with religion. An inspiring book!

Shaheen Pasha, Assistant Professor of international Journalism at University of Massachusetts-Amherst and former reporter for Dow Jones, CNN and Thomson Reuters

The stories shared in Faithfully Feminist paint for us the varied and textured reality of womens feminist expressions of faith in all their complexity. They defy any claim to simple, dualistic perspectives of how feminists should relate to patriarchal religious traditions. Life cannot be so reduced. These womens stories are a testimony to the vastness of human strength and creativity and the transformation that is possible at the intersection of feminisms and religions. These women speak for themselves and we are the better if we received their gift and listen to their voices.

Xochitl Alvizo, co-Founder of FeminismandReligion.com

What brings one to faith and keeps one faithful, especially in religious communities that remain densely patriarchal? As the narratives in this anthology attest, these are such ineffably personal questions that no woman can answer them for another. Perhaps that is just as well since it allows us to learn from each others struggles how to be present to the divine in our own distinctive ways.

Dr. Asma Barlas, Professor of Politics at Ithaca College and author of Believing Women in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Quran

Faithfully Feminist is a creative collage of witty, tantalizing, courageous, honest, and provocative faith stories. The writers share from the sacred places in the heart and urge us to answer the question, why do we stay? Their diverse stories affirm that feminism is necessary to the faith and practice of us all for we are all Gods people. These heartwarming stories challenge the boundaries that patriarchal religions place on women and celebrates the significance of listening and attending to womens faith voices.

Grace Ji-Sun Kim, author of The Grace of Sophia: A Korean North American Womens Christology

This is a richly textured, intellectually and ethically challenging bookespecially for readers like me. As a religious traditionalist, I need to hear these voices. I may not always want to hear them, but I need to hear them. Their honesty, depth, commitment, and energy are compelling. This book attests to the vitality of our several traditions and to the moral integrity of the thinkers who work to stay within them.

Alan Mittleman, Professor of Jewish Philosophy, The Jewish Theological Seminary and author of A Short History of Jewish Ethics

In todays world, expressing faith is often as contentious as claiming feminism. Faithfully Feminist brings the two together like cinders in a fire longing for oxygen. Sparks fly as Muslim, Jewish, and Christian women invite us into their stories of standing up for their equality and full humanity while deepen their faith. The diversities and continuities of their experiences of the divine and commitment to their communities ignite and illuminate faith and feminism in ways that enrich each tradition. Stunningly eloquent, powerfully honest, a must read!

Kate Ott, author of Sex + Faith

Read this bookto plunge immediately into the world of why women bother sticking with the worlds sexist religious traditionsbecause they want to transform them! In the words of the savvy editors of Faithfully Feminist, to live a feminist and religious life is an art... it requires being graceful and bold, cunning and creative. This is precisely what this strong collection of writing is all about.

Laura Levitt, Professor of Religion, Jewish Studies and Gender, Temple University

A Note about the I Speak for Myself series:

I Speak for Myself is an inclusive platform through which people can make themselves heard and where everyones voice has a place. ISFMs mission focuses on delivering one core product, a narrative collection, that is mindset-altering, inspiring, relatable, and teachable. We aim to deliver interfaith, intercultural titles that are narrow in scope but rich in diversity.

Please be sure to check out our website, www.ISpeakforMyself.com, to learn more about the series, join the conversation, and even create an I Speak for Myself book of your own!

Sincerely,

Zahra T. Suratwala and Maria M. Ebrahimji

Co-Founders, I Speak for Myself

Books in the Series

Volume 1: I Speak for Myself: American Women on Being Muslim

Volume 2: American Men on Being Muslim: 45 American Men on Being Muslim

Volume 3: Demanding Dignity: Young Voices from the Front Lines of the Arab Revolutions

Volume 4: Talking Taboo: American Christian Women Get Frank About Faith

Volume 5: Father Factor: American Christian Men on Fatherhood and Faith

The views and opinions expressed by each contributing writer in this book are theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the series editors or I Speak for Myself, Inc.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2015 by I Speak for Myself, Inc. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission from the publisher.

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Cover and Interior Design by C Book Services

First edition: 2015

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