WASHINGTON – The Howard University School of Divinity will host “Continuing the Womanist Tapestry”on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30 at Dubarton Chapel and Holy Cross Hall of the School of Divinity. The two-day conference will celebrate the 30^thAnniversaryof the launch of the Womanist Consultation at Howard University School of Divinity, just in time for Women’s History Month.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to celebrate 30 years of womanist scholarship with my colleagues across the theological disciplines: theology, ethics, sociology, religious education and biblical studies, said Reverend Cheryl Sanders, Th.D., professor of Christian Ethics at the Howard University School of Divinity.

The term “womanist” was introduced by author Alice Walker in 1983 for the African American feminist. Black women were emerging and finding their place in the development of Black history, religion, ethics and culture. From 1985, Howard University launched a lecture series titled, “The Feminine and Religious Traditions,” a marker toward the Womanist Consultation. 

In 1988, Lawrence Jones, a former dean of the Howard University School of Divinity, provided monetary support for the initial consultation (cohort) of womanist scholars. Later that year, the first womanist consultation was held. By 1989, while a professor, Rev. Cheryl Sanders, Th.D., wrote a journal article titled, “Christian Ethics and Theology in Womanist Perspective” which was published by the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion. By 1990, the Womanist Approaches to Religion and Society Unit was established to provide a venue for womanist scholars to present panels and papers each year on the program of the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion. All events adding to the advancement of womanist studies.

“Too often the story of womanist and black liberation theologies is told from the exclusive vantage point of personalities and publications emergent from Union Theological Seminary and other elite predominantly white seminaries and divinity schools. As a result, the scholarly productivity of those of us who work in historically black contexts such as Howard University and the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta is marginalized and devalued,” said Sanders. “This consultation is designed and intended to set the record straight. We will have a special exhibit of the publications of the pioneering womanist scholars who met at Howard over 30 years ago, and the conference bibliography is an impressive list of books and articles that continue to advance womanist thought in this century.”

This conference is free, but registration is required. Lunch will be provided for the first 50 registrants. There will be vendors onsite and much more. 

For more information, email Divinityinfo@howard.edu or call (202) 806-0500. To register, click here.

Event Program for "Continuing the Womanist Tapestry" Conference

Day One: Worship Service 

When: Friday, March 29, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Location: Dunbarton Chapel at the Howard School of Divinity - 2900 Van Ness St. NW Washington, DC 20008

What:The guest preacher for the evening to kick off the conference is Rev. Dr. Debyii Sababu-Thomas, minister of Discipleship Development at the Reid Temple AME Church in Glenn Dale, MD.

Day Two: Panel Discussions and Luncheon

When: Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. --- Doors open at 8:30 a.m. 

Where: Holy Cross Hall at the Howard University School of Divinity - 2900 Van Ness St. NW Washington, DC 20008

What:

• 10:00 a.m.– Panel One "Womanist Thought: Three Decades in Perspective" begins at 10 a.m. 
• 12:00 p.m.– “Honoring Women Pastors in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia” Luncheon
• 1:45 p.m.– Panel Two "Womanist Thought: A Tapestry for Church and Society," Panelists include four scholars from the first womanist consultation in 1988; Dr. Renita Weems, Dr. Cheryl Townsend Gilkes, Dr. Delores Carpenter and Dr. Cheryl Sanders.

Find HUSD on Social Media:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/events/578293955984807/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/HUSDIVINITY/

Use the hashtag:  #HUSD_WomanistTapestry

Event Contact: Rev. Paula Hall, 202-806-0769, pehall@howard.edu

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About Howard University School of Divinity

Howard University School of Divinity enrolls students from diverse backgrounds and religious traditions who are pursuing Master of Arts in Religious Studies, Master of Divinity, Master of Divinity/Master of Business Administration, Master of Divinity/Master of Social Work, and Doctor of Ministry degrees. HUSD offers an unparalleled educational experience that not only reflects the African-American cultural and religious tradition, but also the foundations of excellence promoted throughout Howard University's history and the unique opportunity afforded by its location within the nation's capital. For more information, visit divinity.howard.edu

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu

Media Contact:Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu