Description

Union Presbyterian Seminary will extend the work of its recently established Center for Womanist Leadership. Conceived and created by African American women scholars active in the field of religious and theological studies, the center is unique within theological education. Coined in 1983 by the author Alice Walker, the term “Womanist” draws attention to the particular experiences of African American women, and Womanist theology developed in part through critical engagement with both feminist and black theologies. Through its work, Union’s Center for Womanist Leadership aims to shape and support the next generation of African American women seminarians, graduate students of religion, theological faculty, and clergy. Engaging religious practitioners from multiple faith traditions, the Center’s activities will also seek to include representatives of diverse professions, from community leaders and artists to policymakers and spiritual care providers. The Luce Foundation’s grant will provide partial support for the director of the Center and for an administrative assistant, as well as supporting a series of public conferences, academic workshops, institutes for seminarians, and retreats.