The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
Women’s Networks Initiative
Since 2001, the Pluralism Project has convened a series of multi-religious consultations with women leaders, activists, and academics. In giving voice to women who are developing new forms of civic and religious leadership, these events have provided a much-needed forum where participants have forged new linkages and identified common ground. While forming the basis for the Pluralism Project's women's networks initiative, these consultations have been accompanied by focused research, local convenings, and a documentary film called Acting on Faith: Women's New Religious Activism in America. In the ongoing work with this initiative, the networks will be expanded to include strategic partnerships with secular women's organizations.
Focused Research
Identifying emerging forms of women's religious leadership and networks is an integral component of our women's initiative. Focused research on these trends by senior staff and student research associates is an important tool for taking stock of and developing new directions for our work.
- An Emerging Model of Muslim Leadership: Chaplaincy on University Campuses (Shenila S. Khoja-Moolji, Spring 2011)
- Women's Interfaith Initiatives in the United States Post 9/11 (Kathryn Lohre, Fall 2006)
- Women in Buddhism in the U.S. (Kate Dugan, Summer 2006)
- "Dialogue and the Echo Boom of Terror: Religious Women's Voices after 9/11" [PDF] (Dr. Diana L. Eck, Fall 2005 in After Terror: Promoting Dialogue Among Civilizations, edited by Akbar Ahmed and Brian Forst)
Women’s News
Through Religious Diversity News (RDN) we are able to track women’s leadership, activism, and scholarship, both in the U.S. and internationally. We are also able to identify the events and issues that have a particular impact on the lives of women of faith.
Click here to view and subscribe to the Pluralism Project’s women’s issues newsfeed.
Acting on Faith: Women’s New Religious Activism in America
In April 2005, we premiered a documentary film produced and directed by one of our affiliates, Rachel Antell, and narrated by Dr. Diana L. Eck called Acting on Faith: Women's New Religious Activism in America. The film was developed out of the conversations that have taken place in our women's networks over the years. It features Dr. Shamita Das Dasgupta, co-founder of Manavi, Inc.; Dr. Leila Al-Marayati, spokesperson for Muslim Women's League; and Mushim Ikeda-Nash, former chairperson of the San Francisco Zen Center Board Committee on Diversity and Multiculturalism and diversity facilitator.
For more information about the film, including preview clips, purchasing information, and the online study guide, click here.
Harvard Events
Events hosted here at Harvard serve as an important link to the broader conversation of our women's initiatives within the university context.
Other Events
In addition to events hosted at Harvard, we have actively participated in events hosted by other campuses, organizations, and centers. These have all contributed to our participation in the conversation on women's leadership and networks. We are always pleased to consider invitations and requests - either to host a screening of Acting on Faith, or to participate in a conference or event. Please feel free to contact our current Assistant Director Whittney Barth at wbarth@mail.harvard.edu or 617-496-2481 with any invitations or requests related to this initiative.
Profiles
The organizational profiles available here include many of the organizations that have been active in our women’s networks.
Selected Links
This set of links includes our women’s networks members and other related sites that highlight women’s participation and leadership in religious life.
Spotlight
An Emerging Model of Muslim Leadership: Chaplaincy on University Campuses (Shenila S. Khoja-Moolji, Spring 2011)
Women’s News
Click here to view our Women’s News Feed.