Author Archives

Gina Messina, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Ursuline College and Co-founder of Feminism and Religion. She writes for the Huffington Post and is the author or editor of five books including "Faithfully Feminist" and "Jesus in the White House: Make Humanity Great Again." Her research interests are theologically and ethically driven, involve a feminist and interdisciplinary approach, and are influenced by her activist roots and experience working with survivors of rape and domestic violence. Gina is a widely sought after speaker and has presented across the US at universities, organizations, conferences, and in the national news circuit including appearances on Tavis Smiley, MSNBC, NPR, and the TEDx stage. She has also spoken at the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations to discuss matters impacting the lives women around the globe. She is active in movements to end violence against women and explores opportunities for spiritual healing for those who have encountered gender-based violence. Connect with Gina on Facebook, Twitter @GMessinaPhD, Instagram @GinaMessinaPhD, and her website http://www.ginamessina.com.

• The New Feminist Revolution in Religion by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on November 20, 2013 • ( 15 )

  

  This week I will be attending the American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature (AAR/SBL) Conference in Baltimore Maryland.  In celebration of the second anniversary of Feminism and Religion and the continued efforts of feminists in the field within the… Read More ›

• What Would Malala Do? by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on October 16, 2013 • ( 6 )

  

  October 11th was International Day of the Girl – a movement that empowers girls around the world to see themselves as powerful change agents. This year’s theme is “Innovation for girls’ education.”  Certainly, this makes sense given that education is… Read More ›

• Feminism vs. Humanism by Gina Messina

  By Gina Messina on August 21, 2013 • ( 33 )

  Recently Susan Sarandon was asked if she is a feminist and her response left many asking if perhaps we are moving towards a post-feminist world. Of course, the very fact that Sarandon was asked if she is a feminist well… Read More ›

• Eco-Theology and the Dave Matthews Band by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on July 25, 2013 • ( 3 )

  Feminist theologian Sallie McFague argues that we must give the earth the attention it is due and recognize its subjectivity rather than having an arrogant viewpoint that assumes we have the right to control the planet.  She states that by refusing… Read More ›

• Losing my Mother and Realizing her Resurrection by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on July 2, 2013 • ( 9 )

  

  Five years ago today I buried my mother.  Violence took her life; however because of this patriarchal culture we live in, there was no prosecution in her death.  Violence against women is of little consequence in our society. She died… Read More ›

• Rape Culture and Abstinence Only Education by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on June 19, 2013 • ( 9 )

  Rape culture, as has been noted on Feminism and Religion in multiple articles (see Carol Christ’s post this week), permeates every aspect of our society, every aspect of our lives.  Something that I believe warrants serious attention is Elizabeth Smart’s… Read More ›

• Selfish Working Mothers Destroying the Natural Order? by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on June 5, 2013 • ( 28 )

  It was nearly twelve years ago when I sat before my then pastor in pre-cana counseling and was told “how nice it is that you are trying to help women by working in a domestic violence shelter, but now that… Read More ›

• Rape Culture, Sexual Violence, and Spiritual Healing by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on May 15, 2013 • ( 5 )

  Recently I had the great pleasure of presenting on the WATER Teleconference Series and dialoguing with women from around the world about how to promote healing in a rape culture. Likewise, in a previous post I discussed rape culture in… Read More ›

• I Dream of Pope Francis by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on April 17, 2013 • ( 30 )

  

  It was just last week that I received an email from Pope Francis.  He wrote me having seen my interview with Tavis Smiley and said he sympathized with my appeal for a Church that serves the needs of the people. … Read More ›

• What We’ve Learned from Steubenville by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on March 20, 2013 • ( 30 )

  

  The nation has watched over these last several months as the rape case in Steubenville, Ohio has unfolded in the media.  On March 17, 2013 the verdict was announced and the two teenage boys accused of raping a 16 year… Read More ›

• Hate Mail and the Privilege of Having a Voice by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on March 6, 2013 • ( 10 )

  This past week I was honored to have the opportunity to talk with Tavis Smiley on PBS about the resignation of the Pope and the future of the Catholic Church.  Although some have argued that the pope stepping down means… Read More ›

• The Papal Resignation and Future of the Catholic Church by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on February 26, 2013 • ( 6 )

  

  I was flattered when I received a call from The Tavis Smiley Show on PBS and was asked to appear on the show to discuss the Pope’s resignation and the future of the Catholic Church.  It was an amazing opportunity… Read More ›

• Les Miserables’ Fantine, Women’s Suffering, and Female Migrant Labor by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on January 16, 2013 • ( 18 )

  

  Upon the recommendation of several friends and colleagues I decided to see the film Les Miserables.  It is rare these days that I make it to the movies.  My life is generally over scheduled and spare time is nonexistent.  So… Read More ›

• A Call for Gun Control by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on December 16, 2012 • ( 10 )

  But America seems to be the place the whole world thinks of when apparently ordinary people use guns for grotesque acts of violence. America stands alone in its historic and cultural attachment to guns. America stands armed. — Jonathan Mann… Read More ›

• Every Woman has a Story by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on December 5, 2012 • ( 5 )

  Recently, Carol Christ wrote about her experience of being interviewed for the Women’s Living History project at Claremont Graduate University.  It is a project I have co-founded and am continuing to develop; I am grateful that Carol and others have… Read More ›

• I Stand with Fr. Roy Bourgeois by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on November 24, 2012 • ( 11 )

  

  “The Vatican and Maryknoll can dismiss me, but they cannot dismiss the issue of gender equality in the Catholic Church.” – Fr. Roy Bourgeois  While many have said it should be no surprise that Fr. Roy Bourgeois has been excommunicated… Read More ›

• Breaking Up with Chick-fil-A by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on August 8, 2012 • ( 23 )

  I haven’t eaten fast food in many years; however as a new mom Chick-fil-A offered something quite different than other fast food chains: healthy options, freshly made food, clean space, and a great spot for play dates; not to mention the organization’s… Read More ›

• The Safety of a Mother’s Arms by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on July 25, 2012 • ( 2 )

  

  Earlier this year in May, I was honored to be a speaker at the American Mothers National Convention.  While attending the conference I heard a young mom speak about her own experience of being held hostage as a child and… Read More ›

• Having it All or Embracing What We Have? by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on July 11, 2012 • ( 12 )

  Like thousands of other mothers, I found myself consumed by Anne-Marie Slaughter’s  13,000 word cover story, “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All” for the July/August edition of The Atlantic.  As a new mom with a Ph.D. and growing career,… Read More ›

• BOOK REVIEW: Jonathan Merritt’s A Faith of Our Own by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on June 13, 2012 • ( 2 )

  

  Have you been a victim of the “Culture Wars”?  Jonathan Merritt was, and it inspired him to write his latest book A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars.  According to Merritt, the culture wars have led… Read More ›

• Feminist Family Values by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on May 30, 2012 • ( 12 )

  

  As a new mother, something that is constantly on my mind is how to teach my daughter morals and values.  She just turned three and has a strong awareness of what is going on around her.  Her vocabulary is vast… Read More ›

• Reproductive Justice by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on April 18, 2012 • ( 8 )

  Following the testimony of Sandra Fluke on the lack of availability of contraception and the appalling remarks by Rush Limbaugh that took place in early March, 2012, much discussion around issues of reproductive justice has emerged.  Among these conversations, Mary… Read More ›

• A Family Conceived, Lost, and Resurrected by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on April 8, 2012 • ( 45 )

  

  As I had written about in a previous post, my husband and I had a very long struggle with infertility.  After nine years, multiple failed rounds of infertility treatments, and much heartache, we decided to look at alternative options to… Read More ›

• Peace Begins at Home by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on March 21, 2012 • ( 9 )

  I began my career in the field of social services as a woman’s advocate for rape and domestic violence survivors.  The motto for an organization I was employed with early on was “peace begins at home,” a significant point that… Read More ›

• Women being “Raped too much?”: Fox News, Liz Trotta, and Rape Culture by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on February 23, 2012 • ( 25 )

  I may be a bit late to the conversation, but it is impossible for me not to comment on the infuriating statements made by Liz Trotta on Fox News about the staggering 64% increase in sexual assaults against women in the… Read More ›

• Feminist Theologies: Past, Present, and Future by Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on February 8, 2012 • ( 13 )

  

  I had the great honor to be a part of the Feminist Theologies: Past, Present, and Future panel on February 7, 2012 to celebrate The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theology.  I presented with some feminist foremothers who have had a tremendous impact on me… Read More ›

• January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

  By Gina Messina on January 11, 2012 • ( 1 )

  

  This information was originally distributed by WATER: January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Human trafficking, referred to as modern-day slavery, is the fastest growing and second most profitable criminal industry in the world. More than 27 million women, men,… Read More ›

• Hildegard of Bingen to be Canonized and Named Doctor of the Church By Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on December 22, 2011 • ( 11 )

  

  Known as the “Sybil of the Rhine,” Hildegard of Bingen was a remarkable woman who produced multiple visionary writings and major theological works throughout her life (1098-1179).  During a time period when women received little respect, Hildegard was consulted by… Read More ›

• Feminist Music By Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on December 14, 2011 • ( 8 )

  Last week Caroline Kline shared the article “Feminist Films” and discussed the Bechdel Test as a way to identify whether or not a film is feminist.  It left me wondering – can we identify music as feminist in the same… Read More ›

• Women Blogging Thealogy By Gina Messina-Dysert

  By Gina Messina on December 4, 2011 • ( 2 )

  In Rebirth of the Goddess: Finding Meaning in Feminist Spirituality, Carol Christ offers a thealogy that is grounded in embodied thinking and begins with personal experience. She explains that experience is “embodied, relational, communal, social, and historical” (p. 37),  and… Read More ›