Mormon Feminism
Essential Writings
Edited by Joanna Brooks, Rachel Hunt Steenblik, and Hannah Wheelwright
Reviews and Awards
"This important collection offers both a retrospective elaboration on the past and a firm foundation – and no little ammunition – for ongoing struggles in the future through debate and activism...it remains a powerful intellectual and spiritual guide to embrace and ponder." - Iren Annus, Americana E-Journal of American Studies in Hungary
"[A]n excellent, stand-alone volume that takes seriously the questions and work of Mormon women wrestling with their historical, current, and future roles in a denomination that offers the priesthood only to men, and only since 1978 to men of African descent Mormon Feminism is an in-depth, accessible resource for Mormon studies, religious studies, feminist studies, and gender studies. It is also accessible to the lay person who is not an academic." - Mormon Studies Review
"Informative. This well-organized book offers a window into an important movement in American religious history and provides a much-needed addition to feminist scholarship. Mormon feminists share much in common with other feminists of faith including evangelicals, Catholics, and Muslims. In each group, women are increasingly demanding a seat at the table. This collection makes comparison and dialogue between these groups possible. As such, it should prove a valuable resource for scholars of Mormonism, feminism, women's history, and American religion." - Journal of Southern Religion
"The editors of Mormon Feminism: Essential Writings should be praised not just for the breadth of their collection, but for the many extras that enhance the reading of the book...Engaging and instructive." - Segullah
"This volume of 'Essential Writings' is needed in every tradition. What a wonderful way to capture the history of Mormon women's struggles .... A great book for reference and freeiration." - WATER Recommends
"Destined to be a new core text on the subject of whether and how one can (and should) be a Mormon feminist" - Feminism and Religion
"The volume will appeal to all those invested in understanding the compatibility of feminism and religion even beyond Mormonism." - Publishers Weekly
"The Mormon Feminism collection compiles many of the most important feminist texts from the past half-century and it is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand contemporary Mormonism." - Juvenile Instructor
"Spanning the Second Wave to the present wave of the women's movement, these essays constitute a significant body of work on the religious implications of feminism. Their usual omission from feminist and Mormon history makes collection of them here all the more welcome and necessary. They are, indeed, 'essential.' The study of contemporary Mormonism should not be attempted without them." - Kathleen Flake, Richard Lyman Bushman Professor of Mormon Studies, University of Virginia
"The depth and breadth of Mormon feminist thought assembled in this volume will bring awareness to some and enlightenment to many. So much that has been thought and felt among Mormon women is here for reflection, reference and discussion. This book will enrich the legacy we treasure and point us to a proud future." - Aileen Hales Clyde, Chair, Utah's Task Force on Gender and Justice (1989); Regent, Utah System of Higher Education (1989-2003); Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (1990-1997)
"In Mormon Feminism: Essential Writings a chorus of diverse women's voices passionately and rationally weaves a narrative that shows us where we've been and points us to the future. Set in recent decades of Mormon history, the story it tells forgets nothing of universal womanhood. As I read, I felt a reassuring sisterhood being formed among our different religious traditions and similar experiences. Together, we are invited to explore and draw lessons from the nuanced feminist themes that connect our lives, affect our faith, and impact our work for equality. There is much solace, encouragement, and inspiration to take in the presence of such strong, smart, and articulate women. This is a rich resource of feminist thought, problem solving, and frameworks for activism that I will revisit again and again." - Jennifer Crumpton, author of Femmevangelical: The Modern Girl's Guide to the Good News
"Can one be a Mormon and a feminist? Through the careful combing of historical and modern Mormon feminist writings, the complexity of what it means to be an equal-minded, intelligent woman in a patriarchal church is here presented in its hopeful, heartbreaking, faithful entirety. Though the answer is complicated, this book honors those who have bravely and eloquently added their voices to the movement. As a church we owe these women-their words and work-much recognition for their progress and perspective." - C. Jane Kendrick, writer at cjanekendrick.com
