Session Details

Thursday, 06 January

15. Stories of Souls: Women’s Spiritual Narratives

12:00 noon–1:15 p.m., 304B, LA Convention Center

A special session

Presiding: Baltasar Fra-Molinero, Bates Coll.

Speakers: Andrew Connolly, Carleton Univ.; Jennifer Donahue, Florida State Univ.; Marie-Rose Logan, Soka Univ. of America; Cherene Monique Sherrard-Johnson, Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison; Miles Taylor, Le Moyne Coll.

Respondent: Sue E. Houchins, Bates Coll.

This roundtable will examine spiritual autobiographies, correspondence, biographies, and fiction by and about women. These narratives describe intensely personal encounters with the sacred and examine the historical, social, cultural, political, and racial contexts of several works from Europe and America. The session will attempt to expand upon the received wisdom that women gained empowerment by alleging guidance and instruction from an external spiritual source, which was unassailable and unverifiable.

For papers, write to shouchin@bates.edu after 15 Dec.

Program Archive