Women in Religion Panel at UNL

I felt very good about the conversation that took place at UNL's Georgian Room (in the Student Union) yesterday about Women in Religion.  I was asked to participate on a panel of four women from various religious traditions.  Assistant Professor Abla Hasan who teaches the practice of Arabic, spoke about women in Islam.  Professor Courtney Bruntz of the Classics and Religious Studies Department, spoke about women in Buddhism.  Professor Sidnie White Crawford, of the Classics and Religious Studies Department, who is also an ordained Episcopalian minister, spoke about women in the Episcopalian Church.  I spoke about women in Judaism.  We each addressed our roles as participants and leaders within our own faith communities.  We also talked about the individuals in our lives who had inspired us in the development and practice of our faith and about common misconceptions often held about women in each of the 4 faith groups.  It was good not only to be a part of the conversation, but to learn from those who joined me on the panel.  The students in attendance asked very good questions after our panel responses were given and I commend UNL for including this programming as part of its women's week programming.  Such conversations lead to increased understanding and breaking down of barriers.