Curriculum Vitae

 

GINA MESSINA-DYSERT, Ph.D.

Email: gmdysert@gmail.com

EDUCATION

Claremont Graduate University,  Claremont, California

Doctorate of Philosophy in Religion

Dual Concentration in Women Studies in Religion and Theology, Ethics, and Culture

Recipient of the Margo Goldsmith Fellowship

May, 2011

Doctoral Exams: Contemporary Social Ethics, International Human Rights Issues, Feminist Theologies, and Theologies of Suffering and Evil

Dissertation: Sexual Violence within a Rape Culture: The Experience of Double Victimization, Han, and Spiritual Death 

Committee: Rosemary Radford Ruether (Chair), Karen Torjesen, Claudia Bushman, and Pamela Brubaker

John Carroll University,  Cleveland, Ohio

Master of Arts in Religious Studies

Dual Concentration in Biblical Studies and Theology

Recipient of Religious Studies Research Assistantship

August, 2007

University of Findlay,  Findlay, Ohio

Master of Business Administration

Dual Concentration in Organizational Leadership and Marketing

June, 2003

Cleveland State University,  Cleveland, Ohio

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology 

Certificate in Criminology

August, 2001

TEACHING/ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

Loyola Marymount University, Department of Theological Studies

Visiting Assistant Professor 

2011-Present

Courses Taught in Theological Studies and Women’s Studies.

Claremont Graduate University

Director of the Center for Women’s Interdisciplinary Research and Education (WIRE)

2012-Present

Direct the founding of the center focused on interdisciplinary studies on women.  Develop and direct projects focused on women in religion including panel discussions, special guest lectures, conferences, and research projects.  Manage the women’s living history project that documents the oral history of women’s lived experience in relation to religion across traditions.  Train and supervise research assistants.  Design and teach courses that support the research of WIRE.  Act as faculty liaison for the women’s studies council.  Act as student advisor, supervise and participate on thesis, dissertation, and qualifying exam committees. Fundraising, administrative, and faculty responsibilities.

Claremont Graduate University, School of Religion

Program Director 

2011-2012

Coordinate School of Religion existing programs, manage admissions process, and fellowship budget.  Advise graduate and perspective students; supervise student workers.  Create quarterly program reports, present to board of directors, and collaborate with religious councils to implement School of Religion projects.

John Carroll University, Department of Religious Studies  

Lecturer

2007-2008

Courses Taught in Religious Studies.

Notre Dame College, Department of Theology  

Lecturer

2007-2008

Courses Taught in Theology and Social Justice.

Lorain County Community College, Department of Arts and Humanities  

Lecturer

2006-2008

Courses Taught in World Religions.

PUBLICATIONS

Books

  • Rape Culture and Spiritual Violence.  Religion and Violence Series.  Equinox Publishing, Forthcoming, 2013.
  • Feminism and Religion in the Twenty-First Century: Utilizing Technology to Expand Borders, (co-edited with Rosemary Radford Ruether). Routledge, Forthcoming, 2013.

Articles

  • “A Feminist Theological Perspective on Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect,” Forthcoming.
  • “Rape and Spiritual Death,” Feminist Theology. January, 2012.
  • “Women and Blogging: Exercising the Thealogy of Carol Christ.” Journal of Religion and Popular Culture.  July, 2011.

Book Chapter(s)

  • “No Women Need Apply,” in Lane, Erin and Enuma Okoro. (ed.) I Speak for Myself: American Women on Being Christian.White Cloud Press, Forthcoming.
  • “Women Blogging Theology,” in Messina-Dysert, Gina and Rosemary Radford Ruether (ed.) Feminism and Religion in the 21st Century: Utilizing Technology to Expand Borders. Routledge, Forthcoming, 2013.
  • “Is God Absent on Grey Street?: Theodicy, Domestic Violence, and the Dave Matthews Band,” in Beaudoin, Thomas. (ed.) Rock and Theology. Liturgical Press, Forthcoming, 2013.

Encyclopedia Entries

  • “Globalization” in Roof, Wade Clark and Mark Juergensmeyer. (ed.) The Encyclopedia of Global Religions. Sage Publications, 2011.
  • “World Church Service” in Roof, Wade Clark and Mark Juergensmeyer. (ed.) The Encyclopedia of Global Religions. Sage Publications, 2011.

Book Reviews

  • Voices of Feminist Liberation: Writings in Celebration of Rosemary Radford Ruether, by Whitney Bauman, Emily Leah Silverman, and Dirk von der Horst (London: Equinox  Publishing, 2012), reviewed in Crosscurrents, Forthcoming.
  • Women and the Vatican: An Exploration of Official Documents, by Ivy Helman (Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2012), reviewed in Religion and Gender, Forthcoming.
  • Weep Not For Your Children: Essays on Religion and Violence, by Lisa Isherwood and Rosemary Radford Ruether (London: Equinox, 2008), reviewed in Journal of Theology and Sexuality, Forthcoming.
  • Women and Redemption: A Theological History, by Rosemary Radford Ruether (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2011), reviewed on Feminism and Religion, October, 2011.
  • Relational Reality:  New Discoveries of Interrelatedness that are Transforming the Modern World, by Charlene Spretnak (Topsham, ME: Green Horizon Books, 2011), reviewed on Feminism and Religion, September, 2011.
  • 15 Days of Prayer with Henri Nouwen, by Robert Waldron (Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2009), reviewed in The Religious Studies Review. December, 2010.
  • Christian Insight Meditation: Following in the Footsteps of John of the Cross, by Mary Jo Meadow (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2007),  reviewed in The Religious Studies Review.  December, 2010.

Popular Articles

  • “Feminist Family Values,” American Mothers Magazine, August, 2012.
  • “Violence Against Pregnant Women: Intervention and Education through Faith-Based Leadership in Rural Communities,” American Mothers Magazine, March, 2012.
  • “Bolivian President Evo Morales Says Clean Water is a Basic Human Right,” Los Angeles Examiner, March 26, 2010.
  • “Religious Illiteracy: We are a Nation of Jay-Walkers,” Los Angeles Examiner, March 9, 2010.
  • “Republican Stance on Health Care Reform Inconsistent with Christianity,” Los Angeles Examiner, March 2, 2010.
  • “Thumpin’ It: Exploiting the Bible in the Political Arena,” Los Angeles Examiner, February 24, 2010.

PRESS AND MEDIA APPEARANCES OR INTERVIEWS

  • “The Tavis Smiley Show”, PBS, February 22, 2013.
  • “Remarkable Women Series,” KFWB News Talk Radio 980 AM, September, 2012.
  • Emily Schuck, “Exploring the F-word in Religion,” The Claremont Flame Magazine, June, 2012.
  • Susan Warmbrunn, “Writing Wrongs” Scripps College Magazine, Summer 2011.
  • Global Goddess, Banner Caswell Productions, Inc., May, 2011.
  • Megan Odell-Scott, “Alumni Corner,” Illuminations: A Newsletter by and for Theology and Religious Studies Graduate Students, Fall 2010.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Feminism and Religion Project 

Co-founder and Co-director of the international project that brings together diverse voices to explore feminism and religion and the intersection of scholarship, activism, and community: http://feminismandreligion.com.  This project currently has subscribers on every continent and in 181 countries.

The Stained Glass Ceiling 

Collaborating with Joke Productions to produce a documentary film that explores the status of women in the Catholic Church.  Currently in production.

Gender Violence and the United Nations

In collaboration with NGOs I actively participate in UN meetings and panel discussions related to gender and violence. I developed a proposal for the United Nations that calls for the eradication of gender-based violence and abuse of pregnant women through a multi-action plan that is centered within religious communities and incorporates inter-religious dialogue.  Currently under consideration.

Rock and Theology Project

Contributor for the Rock and Theology Project, directed by Thomas Beaudoin, Ph.D. and sponsored by the Liturgical Press, that explores the relationship between popular music and theology, and related matters of religion, culture, and spirituality : www.rockandtheology.com.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS AND INVITED LECTURES

  • Panelist, “Globalization and Violence Against Women: Examining Female Labor, Migration, and the Impact on Families,” United Nations, The Commission on the Status of Women, March 9, 2013.
  • Panelist, “Rape Culture and the Church,” Religion and Sexual Violence Panel, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California, February 18, 2013.
  • Panelist, “Women, Religion, and Blogging: Expanding Borders Through Social Media,” Feminism, Religion and Social Media Panel, American Academy of Religion, Chicago, Illinois, November 17-20, 2012.
  • Panelist, “A Feminist Theological Perspective on Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect,”  Religion and the Responsibility to Protect Panel, American Academy of Religion, Chicago, Illinois, November 17-20, 2012.
  • Panelist, “The Stained Glass Ceiling” Women’s Ordination and the Catholic Church, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California, November 1, 2012.
  • Presenter, “Introducing Delores Huerta,” National Women’s History Museum Los Angeles Gala, Los Angeles, California, October 25, 2012.
  • Guest Speaker, “Violence Against Mothers,” Motherhood in the 21st Century, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California, October 13, 2012.
  • Panelist, “Women’s Ordination and the Catholic Church,” Catholic/Mormon Dialogue on Women’s Ordination, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont California, September 19, 2012.
  • Guest Speaker, “Violence Against Mothers,” American Mothers National Convention, Washington D.C., May 5, 2012.
  • Guest Speaker, “The Future of Feminist Studies in Religion,” California State University, Northridge, March 28, 2012.
  • Panelist, “Peace Building and Motherhood: Art, Culture, and Faith – Promoting Peace in Rural Families,” United Nations Non-Government Organization Parallel Panel for the Commission on the Status of Women, March 2, 2012.
  • Presenter, “Women Blogging Theology,” Religions in Conversation, Claremont, California, scheduled to present February 24, 2012
  • Panelist, “Feminist Theologies: Past, Present, and Future,” Claremont Graduate University, Claremont California, scheduled to present February 7, 2012.
  • Chair, “Feminism and Religion,” Navigating Theory and Activism, Claremont, California, January 24, 2012.
  • Chair, “Feminism and Religion,” American Academy of Religion, San Francisco, California, November 17-22, 2011.
  • Guest Speaker, “Women and Blogging: The Feminism and Religion Project,” Claremont Graduate University, Claremont California, October 5, 2011.
  • Presenter, “Women and Embodied Blogging: An Exercise in the Thealogy of Carol Christ,” American Academy of Religion/Western Region, Whittier, California, March 27, 2011.
  • Guest Speaker, “Theology, Music, and Ethics: Examining the Social Code of the Dave Matthews Band,” Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California, October 6, 2010.
  • Presenter, “Global Women: Fostering Communication and Change Through the Act of Blogging,” Women as Intercultural Leaders: Imagination, Innovation, Integrity, Notre Dame, Indiana, September 30, 2010 – October 2, 2010.
  • Guest Speaker, “Religion, Music, and Popular Culture: The Theological Expressions of The Dave Matthews Band,” University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, July 27, 2010.
  • Presenter, “Music as a Vehicle of Agency for Marginalized Women,” American Academy of Religion/Western Region, Tempe, Arizona, March 15, 2010.
  • Presenter, “Women, Blogging, and Spirituality,” Women Studies and Religion Salon, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California, October 13, 2009.
  • Presenter, “The Lost Gospel of Judas,” Lorain County Community College, Elyria, Ohio, January 4, 2007.
  • Presenter, “Mothers and Daughters Confronting Sexual Assault,” Girl Talk: Teens and Sexual Violence, Medina, Ohio, September, 25, 2003.
  • Presenter, “Managing a Domestic Violence Shelter” Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties, Medina, Ohio, June 10, 2002.
  • Presenter, “Working with Victims of Domestic Violence” Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties, Medina, Ohio, March 12, 2002.
  • Presenter, “Sexual Assault Awareness,” Cuyahoga Community College, Parma, Ohio, November 18, 1998.
  • Presenter, “Oppression Awareness,” Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Cleveland, Ohio, October 4, 1998.
  • Presenter, “Identifying Perpetrators of Sexual Assault,” Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, October 15, 1998.
  • Presenter, “Oppression Awareness,” Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Cleveland, Ohio, June 7, 1998.
  • Presenter, “Oppression Awareness,” Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Cleveland, Ohio, March 27, 1998.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Academy of Religion

American Association of University Women

Catholic Theological Society of America

National Women’s Studies Association

The Society of Christian Ethics

BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

Current Positions

Faculty Liaison: Women’s Studies Council, Claremont Graduate University

Los Angeles Executive Committee: National Women’s History Museum

Editorial Board: Claremont Journal of Religion

Past Positions

Chair: Medina County Sexual Assault and

Domestic Violence Coalition

Sexual Assault Response Team

Domestic Violence Response Team

Family Assistance Coalition

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/SERVICE

National Women’s History Museum 2012

American Mothers, Inc. 2011-Present

Director of Social Media Marketing: Dying to do Letterman 2011

Event Organizer: Dying to Support Team Lucy 2011

Member: Patricia A. Reif Memorial Lectureship Committee 2010

Volunteer: Cardinal Suenens Center at John Carroll University 2007-2008

Volunteer: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 1996-1997