Social Justice from Outside the Walls: Catholic Women in Memphis, 1950–1970

Social Justice from Outside the Walls: Catholic Women in Memphis, 1950–1970 by Ann Youngblood Mulhearn explores the intersections of faith, race, and gender in the social justice movements in twentieth-century Memphis, Tennessee, challenging assumptions that racial and social justice was primarily a Protestant concern. The book showcases the contributions of six Catholic women, both Black and White, who used existing social, political, and religious organizations to further the causes of racial and social justice, creating new structures when necessary. Their stories redefine perceptions and expectations of women and Catholics, contributing to the civil rights movement and refining our understanding of national movements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 29 November 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Social Justice from Outside the Walls: Catholic Women in Memphis, 1950–1970, by Ann Youngblood Mulhearn delves into the intricate intersections of faith, race, and gender within the social justice movements of twentieth-century Memphis, Tennessee. Through the biographies of six Catholic women and the utilization of the activists' own published writings and personal interviews, this book challenges the notion that racial and social justice were primarily concerns of Protestants. Driven by the principles of their Catholic faith, these women, both Black and White, utilized existing social, political, and religious organizations to advance the causes of racial and social justice. When these structures were not readily accessible, they took initiative and transformed traditional women's organizations into platforms for social and political activism. As a modest representation of progressive Catholics active in the South during that period, these six Catholic women reshaped their perceptions and expectations of themselves as women and Catholics, thereby challenging contemporary gender norms and the patriarchal hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Their interconnected stories shed light on the significant contributions made by Catholics and Catholic theology to the local civil rights movement and further enhance our understanding of broader national movements.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666922288