Overview

Social Justice from Outside the Walls: Catholic Women in Memphis, 1950–1970 by Ann Youngblood Mulhearn examines the intersections of faith, race, and gender within the social justice movements in twentieth-century Memphis, Tennessee. Weaving together the biographies of six Catholic women and drawing upon the activists’ own published writing and personal interviews, this book disrupts assumptions that racial and social justice was primarily a Protestant concern. Motivated by the tenets of their Catholic faith, these women, both Black and White, used existing social, political, and religious organizations to further the causes of racial and social justice. When these structures were not available, the women created them, transforming traditional women’s organizations into vehicles of social and political activism. As a small representation of progressive Catholics active in the South in the time period, these six Catholic women redefined their perceptions and expectations of themselves both as women and Catholics. In doing so, they challenged contemporary gender norms as well as the patriarchal hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Their intertwined stories highlight the significant contributions made by Catholics and Catholic theology to the civil rights movement on the local level and further refine our understanding of larger national movements.

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9781666922288

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Reviews

Mulhearn deftly weaves the individual biographies of six Catholic women of varying backgrounds with their pursuit of social and political justice in mid-twentieth century Memphis. A fascinating read for those with interests in religious, gender, and civil rights history.--Kimberly K. Little, Ohio University

Ann Youngblood Mulhearn deftly weaves the individual biographies of six Catholic women of varying backgrounds with their pursuit of social and political justice in mid-twentieth century Memphis. A fascinating read for those with interests in religious, gender, and civil rights history. This is the book I've been waiting for. Mulhearn breathes new life into the study of mid-century Catholic activism by revealing how a small network of progressive, Black and White Catholic women in the segregated South anticipated, received, and interpreted the Second Vatican Council. Social Justice from Outside the Walls vividly illustrates the vital--and often unappreciated--historical convergence between Vatican II, the Civil Rights struggle, and the women's movement. Even more, Mulhearn follows Brenna Moore's Kindred Spirits in boldly asserting friendship as a political and religious force in dangerous times.

Author Information

Ann Youngblood Mulhearn is lecturer of American history at Middle Tennessee State University.

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