NASHVILLE, Tenn — A scholar of the interaction between religion and gender in Native American cultures will deliver the annual Antoinette Brown Lecture in feminism and religion Thursday, March 13 at 7 p.m. in Benton Chapel on the Vanderbilt campus.
Mary C. Churchill, assistant professor of women’s studies and religious studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder, will discuss "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Native American Women and the Question of a Non-Christian Theology." During an interactive discussion, Churchill will consider whether the study of Native American women and religion can adequately mirror the power and beauty of their experiences.
In her published works and research, she has examined the importance of Native American religious traditions in understanding contemporary issues such as faith-based initiatives, reproductive health and domestic violence. Her interest in Cherokee literature stems from her own mixed-blood Cherokee heritage.
The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow in Tillett Lounge in the same building. Vanderbilt Divinity School is located at 411, 21st. Ave. S.
Free parking will be available for the lecture in the Wesley Place Garage, spaces 1-170. The garage is located at the corner of 21st Avenue South and Wesley Place, next to Ben & Jerry?s. Free childcare for children ages six-months-12 years will also be available during the lecture by reservation at 615 320-0177.
Other free public events featuring Churchill include a worship service in All Faith Chapel at the Divinity School Wednesday, March 12 at 10:10 a.m. followed by a brown bag lunch in Tillet Lounge at noon. Attendance for the Wednesday events is limited, for reservations and additional information call 615 343-3966 or Contact: Emily.k.nourse@vanderbilt.edu .
Established in 1974 through a gift from Sylvia Sanders Kelley, the Antoinette Brown Lecture at Vanderbilt Divinity School commemorates the life of the first woman in the United States to be ordained to the Christian ministry. Previous speakers include Rosemary Radford Ruether, Sallie McFague, Rita Nakashima Brock, Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, Dianna Eck, Kwok Pui-lan and Susan Thistlethwaite. For more information see: http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/div/events/brownlectures.html. -VU-
Media contact: David Glasgow, (615) 322-2706 David.Glasgow@vanderbilt.edu