Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ada María Isasi-Díaz
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| Born | March 22, 1943 Havana, Cuba
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| Died | May 13, 2012 (aged 69) New York, US
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| Institutions | Drew University |
| Thesis | En la Lucha / In the Struggle (1990) |
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Ada María Isasi-Díaz (born March 22, 1943 – died May 13, 2012) was an important Cuban-American thinker. She was a professor of ethics and theology at Drew University in New Jersey. A theologian studies religion and faith. Ada María Isasi-Díaz was a leader in Hispanic theology. She especially helped create a new way of thinking called mujerista theology. She also started the Hispanic Institute of Theology at Drew University. She led it until she retired in 2009.
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Early Life and Education
Ada María Isasi-Díaz was born and grew up in Havana, Cuba. Her family was Catholic. She was born on March 22, 1943. In 1960, she finished school at Merici Academy. Later that year, she came to the United States as a political refugee.
She joined the Order of St. Ursula. This is a group of Catholic sisters. She earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts, from the College of New Rochelle in New York. In 1967, she went to Lima, Peru, to work as a missionary for three years. Missionaries help people and share their faith.
When she came back to the United States in 1969, she left the order. She taught high school in Louisiana for several years. Then she lived in Spain for 16 months. After that, she returned to the United States and settled in Rochester, New York.
Isasi-Díaz continued her studies. She earned a master's degree in medieval history from SUNY Brockport. In 1983, she went to Union Theological Seminary in New York City. There, she earned two more degrees. She got a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1990. Her PhD focused on Christian ethics. In 2006, she received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Colgate University.
Her Work and Ideas
Ada María Isasi-Díaz was very involved in the feminist theological movement. This led her to create a new way of thinking about faith. She wanted to focus on the experiences of Latina women in the United States. This new idea became known as mujerista theology.
This theology looked at the religious experiences of Latina women. It also explored their daily struggles and how their faith helped them. Early in her career, Ada was active in the movement for women to become priests in the Catholic Church.
Latina women in the U.S. often face challenges like sexism and unfair treatment because of their background. They use the term mujerista to describe themselves. They use mujerista theology to explain their faith. This theology helps them in their fight for freedom and fairness.
Ada María Isasi-Díaz taught at Drew University from 1991 to 2009. She also wrote for online discussions. These discussions were for The Washington Post and Newsweek.
What is Mujerista Theology?
Ada María Isasi-Díaz created the word Mujerista. It is a way for Latina women to describe themselves. It is also a way to understand people, ideas, and movements.
Latina women in the U.S. know that sexism, prejudice, and money problems can limit their lives. They use the word mujerista for themselves. They also use mujerista theology to talk about their faith. This type of liberation theology helps them understand their beliefs. It also helps them in their fight for freedom from unfair treatment.
Later Life and Death
Ada María Isasi-Díaz passed away from cancer. She received her last rites in New York. She died on May 13, 2012, at 69 years old. Her funeral Mass was held at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Miami, Florida. This was on May 19, 2012. She was buried later that day at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery.
See Also
In Spanish: Ada María Isasi-Díaz para niños
- Christian feminism
- Las Hermanas (organization)
- Womanist theology
- Modernism in the Catholic Church (Heresy)
