Sisters in the Sacred Grove: Catholic Women Religious as Faculty Members at Public Universities

• In Event: 54.074 - Women in Higher Education

Abstract

This qualitative multiple case study describes the academic experiences of Catholic sisters, or women religious, serving as faculty at public universities in the South. The study highlights issues related to gender, religious identity, environment, relationships, and experiences and perceptions of others as they pertain to the academic experiences of Catholic women religious. The theoretical framework that guided this study included feminist theory and the transformative paradigm. This study addresses the lack of scholarly attention focused on educational contributions of Catholic women religious educators and expands the knowledge base for subsequent research in the areas of Catholic women religious faculty members in higher education, minority women’s groups in higher education, and religious identity of faculty members in higher education.

Authors

• Peggy M. Delmas, University of South Alabama

• Nataliya V. Ivankova, The University of Alabama - Birmingham