The Conference on the History of Women Religious invites paper and session proposals that explore how communities of women religious or their individual members have answered the challenges of interacting with peoples from different cultures and backgrounds. Studies may focus on challenges within communities as well as sisters’ encounters with people of different cultures in their work. Papers on women religious from all faith traditions are welcome. Disciplinary approaches may include but are not limited to history, sociology, literature, anthropology, theology, and communication.

Cultural differences may include but are not limited to religion, gender, nationality/ethnicity, race, social class, age, legal status, education. Among topics of interest are, the sisters’ work in mission territories, interactions with ordained Church leaders, sisters’ work in areas of religious persecution, participation of sisters in social justice campaigns. The work of sisters may also be examined in the context of nationalism, imperialism and globalization. How have communities of women religious opened their membership to women among the peoples with whom they work? What is the relationship between and among religious communities of women in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Australia?

Send proposals for papers and/ or sessions in the form of a one-page abstract accompanied by a one-page C.V. (letter, email, fax) by July 15, 2006.