Susan Ross on the role of women in Catholic higher ed
When Susan Ross first broke into the world of academia as a Catholic theologian, she was one of the few women in what had traditionally been a male-dominated field. In fact, it had only been about a half-century since women were even admitted to study in graduate-level theology programs at Catholic institutions, no less teach in them. This made Ross, as she puts it, a “curiosity” when she first started her teaching career 35 years ago. '
Today there are many notable women who have made a substantial impact on Catholic theology, yet in many ways it remains a field heavily dominated by men. Ross is one of the notable exceptions—she currently serves as chair of the theology department at Loyola University Chicago and has become a widely quoted expert on Catholic issues in the media, placing her among the most recognizable names in modern Catholic theology.
In this web-only excerpt from her interview with U.S. Catholic published in the February 2015 issue, Ross discusses what has changed for Catholic women theologians—and the areas that still need some work.
How has the role of women in Catholic higher education changed over your career?
More women are going into theological education now than there were 50 years ago. In fact, when I was in the job market, in 1979, I was this curiosity. I got all these interviews because people thought, "Oh, a woman theologian." Out of a theology department faculty of 34 at Loyola, I was the third woman.
http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201502/susan-ross-role-women-catholic-higher-ed-29771
