Book chapter
Little Slices of Heaven and Mary’s Candy Kisses: Mexican American Women Redefining Feminism and Catholicism
The Religious History of American Women: Reimagining the Past
The University of North Carolina Press
11/13/2009
DOI: 10.5149/9780807867990_brekus.15
Abstract
Many scholars have defined feminism narrowly as the desire for autonomy, thus failing to take into account the central role of women in their families, communities, and churches. In particular, Catholic women, who venerate the Virgin Mary as the model of ideal womanhood, have been commonly accused of being reactionary or antifeminist. This chapter urges historians to reframe the narratives of Catholic history and feminism so that the more complex accounts of religion's relationship with the modern feminist movement can be revealed. Focusing on Estela Ruiz, an elderly Mexican American woman who claims to both see and hear the Virgin Mary, it shows how faith and activism have empowered lay Catholic women to reform their families and society while also transforming the culture and identity of Catholicism.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Little Slices of Heaven and Mary’s Candy Kisses: Mexican American Women Redefining Feminism and Catholicism
- Creators
- Kristy Nabhan-Warren
- Contributors
- Catherine A. Brekus (Editor)
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- The Religious History of American Women: Reimagining the Past
- DOI
- 10.5149/9780807867990_brekus.15
- Publisher
- The University of North Carolina Press
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/13/2009
- Academic Unit
- History; Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies; Religious Studies
- Record Identifier
- 9984254447902771
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