Las Hermanas

by Medina, Lara

• ISBN13: 9781592134830
• ISBN10: 1592134831
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-28
• Publisher: Temple Univ Pr

Summary

In this historical study, Lara Medina examines the early development and continuing influence of Las Hermanas, a feminist organization established in 1971 to counter the patriarchy and Eurocentrism of the U.S. Catholic Church. Medina weaves archival research and oral interviews into a cohesive narrative that highlights the keen ethnic and political awareness among the movement's leaders and participants. Medina also illuminates the strides made by Las Hermanas in undermining and reorienting the male-dominated structure of both the Catholic ministry and the Chicano civil rights movement. By showing how the group has engaged such issues as moral authority, sexuality, and domestic abuse through its religiously informed efforts in grassroots community organizing and education, Medina showcases the crucial role played by Las Hermanas in the articulation of a spiritually and politically grounded Latina/Chicana identity.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
About the Cover	x
Introduction	1	(11)
1 The Emergence of Las Hermanas: The Social Context	12	(34)
2 Unidas en acción y oración: Chicana/Latina Religious Leaders	46	(22)
3 Una Nueva Iglesia Latina: Activism and Alliances, 1971-1980	68	(24)
4 The Challenge of Being Chicana/Latina, Catholic, and Feminist	92	(31)
5 Transformative Struggle: The Spirituality and Theology of Las Hermanas	123	(24)
Conclusion	147	(4)
Appendix: Acronyms	151	(2)
Notes	153	(44)
Bibliography	197	(12)
Index	209