About the book
Summoning everyday Catholic laywomen to the forefront of twentieth-century Catholic history, Mary J. Henold considers how these committed parishioners experienced their religion in the wake of Vatican II (1962–1965). This era saw major changes within the heavily patriarchal religious faith—at the same time as an American feminist revolution caught fire. Who was the Catholic woman for a new era? Henold uncovers a vast archive of writing, both intimate and public facing, by hundreds of rank-and-file American laywomen active in national laywomen’s groups, including the National Council of Catholic Women, the Catholic Daughters of America, and the Daughters of Isabella. These records evoke a formative period when laywomen played publicly with a surprising variety of ideas about their own position in the Catholic Church.
While marginalized near the bottom of the church hierarchy, laywomen quietly but purposefully engaged both their religious and gender roles as changing circumstances called them into question. Some eventually chose feminism while others rejected it, but most, Henold says, crafted a middle position: even conservative, nonfeminist laywomen came to reject the idea that the church could adapt to the modern world while keeping women’s status frozen in amber.
Editions of The Laywoman Project
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469654485
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469654492
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469654515
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890856753
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469654508
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890856746
Read an Excerpt
Summoning everyday Catholic laywomen to the forefront of twentieth-century Catholic history, Mary J. Henold considers how these committed parishioners experienced their religion in the wake of Vatican II (1962–1965). This era saw major changes within the heavily patriarchal religious faith—at the same time as an American feminist revolution caught fire. Who was the Catholic woman for a new era? Henold uncovers a vast archive of writing, both intimate and public facing, by hundreds of rank-and-file American laywomen active in national laywomen’s groups, including the National Council of Catholic Women, the Catholic Daughters of America, and the Daughters of Isabella. These records evoke a formative period when laywomen played publicly with a surprising variety of ideas about their own position in the Catholic Church.
While marginalized near the bottom of the church hierarchy, laywomen quietly but purposefully engaged both their religious and gender roles as changing circumstances called them into question. Some eventually chose feminism while others rejected it, but most, Henold says, crafted a middle position: even conservative, nonfeminist laywomen came to reject the idea that the church could adapt to the modern world while keeping women’s status frozen in amber.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Laywoman Project about?
Summoning everyday Catholic laywomen to the forefront of twentieth-century Catholic history, Mary J. Henold considers how these committed parishioners experienced their religion in the wake of Vatican II (1962–1965). This era saw major changes within the heavily patriarchal religious faith—at the same time as an American feminist revolution caught fire. Who was the Catholic woman for a new era? Henold uncovers a vast archive of writing, both intimate and public facing, by hundreds of rank-and-file American laywomen active in national laywomen’s groups, including the National Council of Catholic Women, the Catholic Daughters of America, and the Daughters of Isabella. These records evoke a formative period when laywomen played publicly with a surprising variety of ideas about their own position in the Catholic Church.
While marginalized near the bottom of the church hierarchy, laywomen quietly but purposefully engaged both their religious and gender roles as changing circumstances called them into question. Some eventually chose feminism while others rejected it, but most, Henold says, crafted a middle position: even conservative, nonfeminist laywomen came to reject the idea that the church could adapt to the modern world while keeping women’s status frozen in amber.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Laywoman Project?
Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Christianity > Christian Churches, denominations, groups > Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church
Where can I read a sample of The Laywoman Project?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469654485
How long is The Laywoman Project and how many pages does it have?
The Laywoman Project has 248 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Laywoman Project?
Mary J. Henold
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Laywoman Project is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469654485) and paperback(ISBN 9781469654492) and ebook(ISBN 9781469654515) and ebook(ISBN 9798890856753) and ebook(ISBN 9781469654508) and pdf(ISBN 9798890856746)
Where can I buy The Laywoman Project online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Laywoman Project from below
Where can I buy The Laywoman Project?