Remembering Dr. Rosemary Radford Ruether

HUSD celebrates the life of Dr. Rosemary Radford Reuther (1936-2022), pioneering feminist theologian and former member of the Howard University School of Divinity faculty.”

Dr. Rosemary Radford Reuther was one of my first professors at what was then Howard University School of Religion. She was very gracious and radical at the same time. Although I did not know it then, it must have been during her time at Howard (she left in 1975) that she was writing Faith and Fratricide: The Theological Roots of Anti-Semitism, a finalist in the National Book Awards in 1975 for Philosophy And Religion, her groundbreaking study on the church’s contributions to Christian persecution of persons of Jewish religious background. This book was especially courageous due to her Roman Catholic faith. I had heard of her because of her feminist theology before I came to Howard, but her stance on antisemitism was unknown to me and even more revolutionary. We have lost a giant. I am proud to have been her student and that we at HUSD can claim her as part of the Howard legacy. Alice Ogden Bellis

Alice Ogden Bellis

Professor of Hebrew Bible
Howard University School of Divinity

Dr. Ruether paved the way for so many of us aspiring Black Feminists and Womanist scholars. Her work, Sexism and God-Talk transformed my theological journey. Rest in assurance, Dr. Ruether, that you have done well.

Renee K. Harrison

Associate Professor of African American and US Religious History

Howard University School of Divinity

I enrolled in Dr. George Kelsey’s class Christianity and Race as a Drew University graduate student eager to investigate ethical approaches to white racism. The syllabus included a book entitled “Faith and Fratricide” authored by Rosemary Reuther. Annoyed, I wondered why we would be exploring Antisemitism in a course I thought should be devoted solely to matters of Black/white relations in America. Such was my introduction to intersectionality. Though best noted as a pioneer in feminist theology, Dr. Reuther’s work changed theology itself and we are all in her debt. Upon arrival at HUSD, I saw her picture on the walls as a faculty member and was further affirmed in my belief that we who join this faculty step into shoes of great tradition. Thank you, Rosemary Redford Reuther.

Harold Dean Trulear

Professor, Applied Religion

Howard University School of Divinity

What a loss! I was privileged to be her student. Her willingness to speak truth to power---even within her faith tradition---was an inspiration and a model of a truly follower of Jesus.

Ronald Hopson

Professor of Pastoral Care

Howard University School of Divinity

Throughout my career as a theological educator I have deeply appreciated the intersectionality (as the term is now used and understood) that enriched the theological writings of Rosemary Radford Ruether. Her intellectual formation as a liberation theologian bore the marks of her immersion in critical engagement with black students and colleagues during her tenure as a theology professor at Howard University School of Divinity. Face to face. Toe to toe. As someone who gets it. Now that she rests from her labors, may her theological legacy ever illumine our work of liberation and social justice advocacy.

Dr. Cheryl J. Sanders

Professor of Christian Ethics