Women in Leadership: In Whose Image?

Hagar. Huldah. Helena. Hildegard. Harriet. Hillary.

These and other women are often regarded as positive female role models. But how do we determine who should be a role model? What happens when others look to us as role models? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of appropriating biblical women as our role models? We will examine the real-world challenges facing young clergy women in finding leadership role models. We will address the difficulties in maintaining our private lives while serving in  highly-visible public positions. We will entertain new ways of looking at female biblical characters and discuss strategies for preaching and teaching “against the grain” interpretations.

We will be led in our exploration of role models by Dr. Nyasha Junior. She is an Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at the Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C. Dr. Junior earned a Ph.D. in Old Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary. Her current research is on womanist biblical interpretation. You can learn more at her website  www.nyashajunior.com.