Category: Young Feminist Network

Recently, on a visit to Texas, I attended a traditional Catholic Church. It was large and unpretentiously beautiful. The congregation was extremely diverse: young, old, singles, couples, and lots of families of Asian, Hispanic, African-American as well as European-American origin. People were welcoming and seemed happy to be there. The Mass itself was conservative, with…
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“It’s not about passing the torch.  It’s about firing up another’s torch so there can be more light for all.” I’m quoting one of the mentors in Call to Action’s 20/30 Project paraphrasing part of a speech by Gloria Steinem to explain why this particular mentor chose to become a guide, champion, and support for…
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Merriam-Webster users are getting themselves up to date with feminism, the word of the year. Rather than a few linguists deciding on a new and different word every year, the online dictionary can count the number of times people look something up, so this honor is a true reflection of popular interest. Congratulate yourself, feminists!…
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…not away from but toward! What we learned from the recent November 7 election is that our kind of activism, the grassroots kind, can have tremendous power and influence. Dedicated, inspired, fired up people, even when little known in activist circles or the media, can achieve amazing victories if they only take the chance and…
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In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches the disciples how to seek reconciliation. This is clearly something the disciples needed, and something that our world, and each of us gathered here need today. Many of us here are seeking reconciliation, because our brother has sinned against us. Our Mother Church has sinned against us. Jesus says “If…
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Thanks to Bridget Power for this special guest post on her short documentary film, Agayutem Yui (People of God), exploring the leadership and spirituality of lay, Yup’ik, Catholic women.  __________________________________________________________________________________ I made Agayutem Yui (People of God) in an attempt to explore how lay, Yup’ik, Catholic women like Susan Murphy, Yuagiisaq Lena Long, and Masmaruss’ak Lilly Afcan…
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At la Casa Internazionale delle Donne in Rome, Benedictine sister, Teresa Forcades spoke with Italian feminist theologian Marinella Perroni about a new interview-book, Siamo Tutti Diversi! Per una teologia queer (We are all different! For a queer theology), featuring Forcades.  For those keeping close notes, these two powerhouses are a convergence of WOC’s recent programming: Teresa Forcades,…
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Archbishop Robert Carlson won’t be stocking up on Thin Mints and Do-si-dos this year. He’s on a one-man crusade to rescue Catholic girls in the St. Louis Archdiocese (former home to ecclesiastical fashion icon, Cardinal Burke) from the corrupting influences of Girl Scouting. Having read the Archbishop’s letter, I’m quite certain it isn’t Catholic values…
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Dear Women’s Ordination Conference Members and Supporters, I’m joyful to start work this week as WOC’s new Office Manager based in Washington D.C. It’s an honor to get to work for a courageous, visionary organization advocating for women’s ordination and for a more feminist, anti-racist, and accountable Catholic Church. I’m originally from Oregon where both…
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Several Catholic reform groups hosted a gathering at the Chicago Theological Seminary on Saturday for a full day of topics on “What Pope Francis Needs to Know” about women in the Church. Panelists and speakers discussed topics ranging from Catholic church governance to contraception, culminating in a declaration on women. On account of time differences and location, I…
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