Headshot of Rebecca Todd Peters

Rebecca Todd Peters

Professor of Religious Studies

Department: Religious Studies

Office and address: Spence Pavilion-Religion/Phil., Office 213 2340 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Phone number: (336) 278-5247

Professional Expertise

ethics and social justice

Brief Biography

 

Rebecca Todd Peters is Professor of Religious Studies at Elon University. In addition to teaching ethics courses in the Religious Studies department, she offers courses in the Poverty and Social Justice, Environmental Studies, Honors, and Women and Gender Studies programs.  

She is currently serving as the President of the Society of Christian Ethics (2025-26).

Her work as a feminist social ethicist is focused on globalization, economic, environmental, and reproductive justice. Her book, In Search of the Good Life: The Ethics of Globalization (Continuum, 2004), won the 2003 Trinity Book Prize and her second monograph, Solidarity Ethics: Transformation in a Globalized World was published by Fortress Press in 2014. She has also co-edited five books including Justice in a Global Economy: Strategies for Home, Community and World (Westminster/John Knox, 2006) and To Do Justice: A Guide for Progressive Christians (Westminster/John Knox, 2008); the most recent, Abortion and Religion: Jewish, Christian and Muslim Perspectives was published in January 2023 (T&T Clark). She is the past President of the American Academy of Religion, Southeast Region and is Elon University’s 2011-12 Distinguished Scholar. 

Her latest book Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice was published by Beacon Press in 2018. She is the PI for the Abortion & Religion Project, which is interviewing Jewish, Christian, and Muslim wome having abortions across the country.

Peters is an ordained PCUSA minister and is active denominationally and ecumenically. She chaired the PCUSA task force on Just Globalization and represented the PCUSA as a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches from 2005-2023. She served as a PRRI Public Fellow from 2018-2021 and was recently received a Louisville Institute Grant for Researchers. You can find out more about her work at  rebeccatoddpeters.com

News & Notes

Education

  • Ph.D. (Christian Ethics), Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY, 2001
    Dissertation: “In Search of the Good Life: A Feminist Critical Theo-ethical Reading of the Globalization Debates.” Beverly Wildung Harrison, advisor.
  • M.Phil., Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY, 1999
  • M.Div., Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY, 1996
  • B.A. with Honors(Art History), Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, 1989
  • B.A.(English), Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, 1989

Employment History

  • Professor of Religious Studies, Elon University, Elon, NC 2013-
  • Chair of the Department of Religious Studies, Elon University, Elon, NC, 2009 - 2013, spring 2018
  • Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Elon University, Elon, NC, 2007 - present
  • Distinguished Emerging Scholar & Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, Elon University, 2001-07
  • Lecturer, Religious Studies, State University of New York, Stony Brook, 1998–99

Courses Taught

REL 492 - Senior Seminar in Religious Studies
REL 479 - Theology from the Margins
REL 471 - Christianity, Globalization, and Empire
REL 465 - Christianity, Capitalism, and Crisis
REL 464 - Feminist Political Theologies
REL 461 - Racism and Black Theology
REL 374 - Christian Ethics
REL 348 - Environmental Ethics
REL 344 - Christianity and Social Justice
REL 343 - Women, Violence, and Resistance
REL 292 - Approaches to the Study of Religion
HNR 276 - Ethics of New Reproductive Technologies
REL 170 - Religion, Race, and Resistance
REL 110 – Religion in a Global Context

COR 416 - Wealth and Poverty
COR 443 – Poverty and Social Justice

Leadership Positions

American Academy of Religion

  • Academic Relations Committee, 2012-2016
  • Transformative Scholarship and Pedagogy Consultation, steering committee member 2007-2013
  • Religion and the Social Sciences Section, steering committee member 2008 – 2014

American Academy of Religion, Southeast Region

  •  President, 2008-09
  • Vice-President and Program Chair, 2007-08
  • Vice President Elect, 2006-07
  • Member at Large, Executive Committee, 2004-06
  • Co-Chair, Religion, Ethics, and Society section, 2001-06

Southeast Commission on the Study of Religion

  • Chair, 2009-10
  • Board member, 2007-2011

Society of Christian Ethics

  • Vice President, 2022-23
  • Task Force on Contingency, 2018-present
  • 2020 Committee, 2012-2014
  • Board of Directors, 2009-2013
  • Nominating Committee Chair, 2010-11
  • Ethics and Political Economy interest group, Co-convener, 2005-2008
  • Writing Group on Economics, 2002-2006

World Council of Churches, Faith and Order Commission, 2006 - present

  • Co-chair, Moral Discernment in the Churches project, 2006-2012

Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty

  • Chair of the Governing Board and Council, 2017-18
  • Elected member of the SHECP Governing Board, 2015-present
  • Strategic planning committee, 2013-15
  • Elon representative to the SHECP Council, 2012-present

Union Theological Seminary Alumni Board, 2013-2015

 

Research

Reproductive Justice - with my new book on abortion and reproductive justice just released in 2018, I continue to research and write on issues of abortion and reproductive justice including both moral arguments related to pregnancy termination, voluntary motherhood, and pregnancy. In addition, I am interested in the public policy issues related to create communities that support pregnant women, mothers, and families so that pregnant women and their partners are able to have real choices when faced with problem pregnancies. I also hope to expand this research into questions of women's reproductive healthcare internationally.

Economic ethics, economic justice, and economic globalization - throughout my career, my research has focused on questions of economics and justice. My current project, which is tentatively titled Beyond Capitalism, is focused on a meta-analysis of the current state of economic globalization with specific attention to what is possible and how to create structural support for thriving alternative economic models.

Mentoring Undergraduate Student Research (all at Elon, final year indicates student graduation year)

Lucy Jones, "Examining the Intersections between Reproduction, Religion and Culture," Fellows research, 2020

Louisa Sholar, "Reproductive Justice and the Global Population Debate: A Case Study in Guyana," Honors research, 2020

Kristina Meyer, "Running Towards Difference: The Role of Interfaith Organizing in Social Justice," Multi-faith Scholar Award 2017, SURE scholar 2018, Honors research, 2019

Lindsey Jordan, “Exploring Grassroots Models of Anti-Poverty Community Organizing Through the Poor People’s Campaign,” Lumen Scholar 2017-19, SURE scholar 2018, Honors research, 2019

Noah Rossen, “Examining the Impact of Patriarchy and Misogyny on Masculinity,” Center for the Study of Religion, Culture and Society Scholar Development Grant, 2016-17

Daniela Sostaita, “Uncovering Religion’s Role in Shaping Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors among U.S. Latinas,” SURE scholar 2016, Provost Scholar, 2017

Amanda Olmstead, “Charlotte H.E.L.P.: Complexities of a Justice Model,” Honors research, 2011

Breanna Detwiler, “Social Capital in Community Gardens,” Honors research, 2009

Rebecca Hewitt, “Motherhood and Moral Transformation,” Honors research, 2007

Erin Keys, “Impact of Feminist Theology on Life and Thought of Christian Church,” Fellows research, 2005

Ann Marie Leonard, “The Lives of Catholic Workers: Finding Refreshment in a Life Filled with Serving Others,” Fellows research, 2005

Emily Shore, “Finding a Home: Lesbian Women Reconciling Their Sexual Identity with the Christian Church and Community,” Fellows research, 2005

 

Current Projects

Abortion & Religion Project 

Description of project: This project is documenting the stories/experiences of religious women/people who have abortions by collecting the largest data set (500 interviews) to-date of religiously identified women/people who have had abortions. Each participant is interviewed by a researcher from their religious tradition. 

Background/rationale: There is a dominant cultural narrative that religion is opposed to abortion. Vocal and vicious anti-choice Christian voices/activists contribute significantly to the abortion stigma that all women who end pregnancies experience. At the same time, 62% of women who have abortions identify as women of faith and most religious people in the US support the legality of abortion. While, numerous studies have documented the reasons women have abortions, virtually no research has examined how a woman’s religious identity shapes her decision to terminate a pregnancy or how religiously identified women understand the meaning and value of their reproductive decisions to end a pregnancy. In the current political and cultural context, the voices and perspectives of religiously identified women who have abortions needs to be documented and elevated in the public discourse. 

Research Team: The research team is composed of five feminist scholars trained in Religious Studies and representing different traditions:

Dr. Zahra Ayubi, Dartmouth College (Islam)
Dr. Melissa Pagán, Mount Saint Mary’s University (Catholicism)
Dr. Monique Moultrie, Georgia State University (Black Protestantism)
Dr. Rebecca Todd Peters, Elon University (White and other Protestantism)
Dr. Michal Raucher, Rutgers University (Judaism)

 

 

 

Grants Awarded

Sabbatical Award, Elon University Faculty Research and Development Grant, (full year, full pay) 2022-23
Center for Reproductive Health in the Southeast (RISE) Seed Fund, "Abortion & Religion: Listening to Women," 2021
Diversity and Inclusion Grant, Elon University, 2021
Senior Scholar, CrossCurrents Annual Summer Research Colloquium, Auburn Seminary in NY, 2019
Senior Faculty Research Fellowship, Elon University Faculty Research and Development Grant, 2018-20
Sabbatical Award, Elon University Faculty Research and Development Grant, 2014-15
Diversity Infusion Grant, Elon University, 2013
Summer Fellowship, Elon University Faculty Research and Development grant, summer 2012
Service-Learning Scholar, Elon University, 2011-12
Salem Presbytery, “To Do Justice project,” 2008
Sabbatical Award, Elon Faculty Research and Development Grant, 2007-08
Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Religion and Theology grant for Working Group on Undergraduate Research in Religious Studies,” Co-director with Bernadette McNary-Zak, Rhodes College, 2007-08
Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Religion and Theology grant for Mentoring Undergraduate Research: A Consultation for Developing Learning Goals and Standards in Religious Studies,”April 27-29, 2007, Co-director with Bernadette McNary-Zak, Rhodes College 
Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Religion and Theology Summer Research grant for Examining    Women’s Moral Agency and Identity in the Tasks and Experiences of Mothering,” summer 2003
Project Pericles Grant for “Winter Term Global Village,” 2002-03
Union Fellowship, 1996-99
Fund for Graduate Education Scholarship,1996-00
Auburn Scholarship, 1992-96
Leopold-Schepp Foundation Scholarship, 1988-89; 1992-96

Publications

Single-Authored Books:

Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice, Boston: Beacon, 2018; Korean translation, 2023.

Solidarity Ethics: Transformation in a Globalized World, Minneapolis: Fortress, 2014.

In Search of the Good Life: the Ethics of Globalization, New York: Continuum, hardcover, 2004; paperback, 2006; Korean translation, 2012.
 

Edited Books:
Abortion and Religion: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Perspectives, edited and with Introduction by Margaret Kamitsuka and Rebecca Todd Peters, London: T&T Clark, 2023.

Encountering the Sacred: Feminist Reflections on Women’s Lives, edited and with Introduction by Rebecca Todd Peters and Grace Y. Kao, New York: Bloomsbury, 2018.

Teaching Undergraduate Research in Religious Studies,edited and with Introduction by Rebecca Todd Peters and Bernadette McNary-Zak, American Academy of Religion Teaching Religious Studies Series, Oxford:Oxford University Press, 2011.

To Do Justice: Engaging Progressive Christians in Social Action, edited and with Introduction by Rebecca Todd Peters and Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty, Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2008.

Justice in a Global Economy: Strategies for Home, Community, and World, edited and with Introduction by Pamela Brubaker, Rebecca Todd Peters, and Laura Stivers, Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2006.

Beverly W. Harrison,Justice in the Making: Feminist Social Ethics, edited and with Introductions and Afterword by Elizabeth Bounds, Pamela Brubaker, Jane Hicks, Marilyn Legge, Rebecca Todd Peters, and Traci West. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 2004.


Journal Articles:

“Listening to Women: Examining the Moral Wisdom of Women Who End Pregnancies,” Journal of Religious Ethics, vol. 49, no. 2, June 2021.
“Is All Protest Work Morally Equal?” Political Theology, vol. 23, is. 1-2, 2021.
“Learning from the Past: Considering the Ethics of Appropriation,” Journal of Jewish Ethics, vol. 3, no. 1, 2017.
“Reflections on a Theology of Solidarity,” Ecumenical Review, vol. 67, no. 2 (July 2015): 222-233.
“Considering Social Policy on Abortion: Respecting Women as Moral Agents,” Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, Spring 2014.
“Teaching for Social Justice: Creating a Context for Transformation,” Journal for Cultural and Religious Theory, vol. 12, no. 2, (fall 2012): 215-227.
“Feminist Critical Discourse on Globalization, Economy, Ecology, and Empire,” Ecumenical Review, vol. 64, no. 3 (October 2012): 281-298.
“Examining the Economic Crisis as a Crisis of Values,” Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, vol. 65, no. 2 (April 2011): 154-166.
Conflict and Solidarity Ethics: Difficult Conversations on Economics, Religion, and Culture,”College Theology Society Annual, vol. 56, 2010.
“Women Scholars in Christian Ethics: The Impact and Value of Family Care,”Julie Hanlon Rubio, Barbara Hilkert Andolsen, Rebecca Todd Peters, and Cheryl Kirk-Duggan, Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics,” vol. 27, no. 2, fall 2007.
“The Future of Globalization: Seeking Pathways of Transformation.”Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics,” vol. 23, no. 2, spring 2004.

Book Chapters:

The Mystification of Capitalism and the Mis-direction of White Anger,” Religion in the Age of Obama, Juan M. Floyd-Thomas and Anthony Pinn, eds., New York: Bloomsbury, anticipated publication 2018.
“Considering a Solidarity Economy as a Framework for Justice,” in The Almighty and the Dollar: Reflections on Economic Justice for All, edited by Mark J. Allman, Winona, MN: Anselm Press, 2012.

“Examining the Value of Solidarity as a Moral Foundation for Poverty Alleviation,” in Leadership and Global Justice, edited by Douglas A. Hicks and Thad Williamson, Jepson Studies in Leadership Series, NY: Palgrave, 2012.
“Theorizing Undergraduate Research in Religious Studies” and “Contributing to the Discipline,” co-written with Bernadette McNary-Zak, in Teaching Undergraduate Research in Religious Studies, edited by Bernadette McNary-Zak and Rebecca Todd Peters, New York: Oxford, 2011.
“The Politics of Power: Negotiating North-South Tensions Over Empire and Economics,” in That They May All Be One, Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2010.
“Global Change Context,” in Leading Change in Multiple Contexts: Connecting Purpose, Concepts, and             Practices, Gill Robinson Hickman, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2009.
“Assessing the Ethical Landscape of Globalization,” inEthics in an Era of Globalization,” edited by M.S.             Ronald Commers, Wim Vandekerckhove, An Verlinden. London: Ashgate, 2008.
“Economic Justice Requires More than the Kindness of Strangers,” in Faith and Economic Life edited by Mark Valeri and Douglas A. Hicks. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.
“To Fund our Values,” in To Do Justice: Engaging Progressive Christians in Social Action, edited by Rebecca Todd Peters and Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty, Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2008.
“Supporting Community Agriculture,” in Justice in a Global Economy, edited Pamela Brubaker, Rebecca Todd Peters and Laura Stivers, Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2006.
“Decolonizing our Minds: Postcolonial Perspectives on the Church,”Women’s Voices and Visions of the Church: Reflections from North America, edited by Letty Russell, et. al., Geneva: WCC Publications, 2005.
“What are we to DO: Examining the Moral Challenges of Solidarity for the First World,” in The Grace of Solidarity in a Globalized World, edited by Mario DeGiglio-Bellemare and Gabriela Miranda García,           Geneva: World Student Christian Federation, 2004.
Embracing God as Goddess: Exploring Connections Between Female Sexuality, Naming the Divine, and Struggling for Justice” in Body and Soul: Rethinking Sexuality as Justice-Love, edited by Marvin Ellison and Sylvia Thorson-Smith, Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2003.

Reference Entries:
“Corporations,” The Encyclopedia of Religious Ethics: Volume III, Moral Issues, William Schweiker, et. al, eds., Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, submitted.
“Feminist Theology,” Oxford Handbook on Political Theology, Oxford: Oxford, submitted.
“Developing Undergraduate Research in Religious Studies: Thinking Across the Curriculum,” co-written with Bernadette McNary-Zak in How to Get Started in Arts and Humanities Research with Undergraduates,” edited by Iain Crawford, Sara E. Orei, and Olin Shanahan, Washington, Council on Undergraduate Research, 2014.
“March with the Poor: Salt March Day”, Preaching Social Justice from the Lectionary: A Commentary for Preachers, Year A, B, and C. Ron Allen, Dale Andrews, and Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, eds. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011, 2012, 2013.
“Abortion,” “Birth control and Contraception,” “Pregnancy,”in Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity, Daniel Patte, general editor. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Presentations

  • “From Justification to Justice: Rethinking Christianity in the Abortion Debate,” BERZ LECTURE, George  Washington University, Washington, DC, December 1, 2022

  • “Trust Women: Moving the Abortion Conversation from Justification to Justice” and “After Capitalism: Imagining a Solidarity Economy,” Allen-Head Lectures, Austin College, Sherman, TX, Feb. 17-19, 2020

  • Reproductive Justice and the Churches: What We Can Do,” First Presbyterian Church, Tallahassee, FL, Feb. 8, 2020
  • “Solidarity Ethics: Transformation in a Globalized World,” Chautauqua Comes to Christmount: A Festival of Mind, Body, and Spirit, Black Mountain, NC, October 23, 2019
  • “Beyond Abortion Shaming: Christianity, Justice, and Trusting Women,” Christianity and Culture lecture, UNC-Chapel Hill, September 17, 2019
  • “Trust Women: Changing the Conversation About Abortion,” Faith Leaders for Reproductive Justice (2 lectures), San Diego, CA, September 14-15, 2019
  • “Christianity and Reproductive Justice,” Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association lecture, National Library, Georgetown, Guyana, May 28, 2019
  • Reproductive Justice and the Churches: Rejecting Misogyny and Trusting Women,” Reproductive Justice in America: Perspectives from History, Culture, Religion, and Law, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, April 5, 2019
  • Reframing Choice: Abortion as a Moral Good,” Mary Lynn Morgan Lecture, Center for Women, Emory University, February 18, 2019
  • “Setting Pro-Life on its Ear,” FreeThinkers, Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, Sarasota, FL, February 1, 2019
  • “Trust Women: Honor Their Choices,” Florida Interfaith Coalition for Reproductive Health, 3 lectures – Naples, FL, January 30, 2019; Orlando, FL, January 31; St. Petersburg, FL, January 31, 2019
  • “Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice,” Theology, Medicine, and Culture seminar, Duke University, November 2, 2018
  • “Abortion is Not the Problem: Why We Need Reproductive Justice,” Goodspeed Lecture, Denison University, September 13, 2018
  • “What’s at Stake if Roe Falls?” Triad Women’s Equality Day, Winston-Salem, NC, August 26, 2018
  • “Shifting the Narrative: From Justification to Reproductive Justice,” Keynote address, Standing Strong luncheon, Planned Parenthood South AtlanticWinston-Salem, NC, April 17, 2018
  • “Religion, Law and Reproductive Justice,” Excavate, Energize, Equalize: Propelling American Women in Thought and Deed series, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, April 5, 2018
  • “Solidarity in a Globalizing World,” William Connolly Ethics Lecture, University of Evansville, Eva nsville, IN, March 14, 2016 
  • “Solidarity in a Globalizing World,” Charles Franklin Finch lecture, High Point University, February 1, 2016
  • “In Search of the Good Life: The Ethics of Globalization,” Keynote AddressNinth Annual Ethical Student Leadership Conference, Wiley College, Marshall, TX, January 24, 2015
  • “How Are We to Live?” Pittsburgh Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA, October 2, 2014
  • “Solidarity Economics: Foundations for New Economic Thinking,” Keynote Address, Futures of Capitalism Conference, University of Winchester, Winchester, England, April 9, 2014
  • “Embracing Radical Hope in the Midst of Crisis,” Keynote Address, SCM Moving Forward: Empowering Christian Students for Progress and Social Change, Washington, DC, April 12, 2013
  • “Towards a North American Contextual Theology,” Plenary Address, World Council of Churches Poverty, Wealth, and Ecology Forum and Hearings, Calgary, Alberta, November 8, 2011
  • “Christian Social Witness in a Secular Age,”  Plenary Address, “Citizens of Heaven and Earth: Faith and Civil Society”, Davidson College Conference on Reformed Theology and Ethics, March 15, 2011
  • “Accounting for Difference: Rethinking Global Markets in a Postcolonial World,” Plenary Address, Societas Ethica Annual Meeting “On Morals, Markets and Money -- Economic and Business Ethics Revisited,”  Frankfurt, Germany, August 21, 2010.
  • Conflict and Solidarity Ethics: Difficult Conversations on Economics, Religion, and Culture,” Plenary Address, College Theology Society (co-presented with Traci West), Portland, OR, June 5, 2010.
  • “The Call to Solidarity: Standing for Justice in an Unjust World,” Building the Beloved Community: Environmental Justice and the City, Metro-Urban Institute, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, April 9, 2010
  •  “The Challenge of Embracing a Kairos Moment,” Confessing When Empire Trembles: Accra and Belhar Confessions in Conversation Colloquium,Stony Point, NY, January 16, 2010
  • “After Re-Imagining: Choosing to be Feminist,” Re-Imagining Revisited: From Past to Future, Minnetonka, Minnesota, April 18, 2009
  • “Solidarity Ethics and the Challenge of Responsible Global Citizenship,” Bridgeway Lecture, Furman   University, March 26, 2009
  • “Beyond the Economic Crisis: Rethinking the Moral Foundations of Political Economy,” American Academy of Religion, Southeast Region Presidential Address, Greensboro, NC, March 13, 2009
  • “Examining Globalization and Economics,” World Alliance of Reformed Churches Feminist Dialogue on Economy, Ecology and Empire, Bangalore, India, August 14, 2008
  • Theologian in Residence, New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC, July 26-27, 2008
  • “Changing Direction: Theological Resources for Engaging Globalization” and “Changing Direction: Strategies for Living Faithfully as First World Christians,” The Brueggemann and Kulenkamp Lectures, Eden Theological Seminary, Saint Louis, Missouri, April 1-2, 2008
  • “Globalization and Justice: What is God Calling Us to Do?” Keynote speaker and preacher, North Carolina Campus Ministry Retreat, Camp Haynes, NC, Feb. 16-18, 2007
  • Called to Justice: Examining the Moral Challenges of Privilege,” Keynote Address, Pennsylvania State Pastor’s Conference, “It's a Different World: Global Community, Globalization and Our Local Churches," Pennsylvania Council of Churches,November 15, 2006
  • “Justice in a World Gone Mad: Assessing the Ethical Landscape of Globalization,”Keynote Address, 1st International Global Ethics Conference – “What is Global Ethics and How to Research It,” Center for Ethics and Values Inquiry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium, April 29, 2006
  • “With Eyes Ever Forward – Examining the Challenges of Globalization,” Founder’s Day Address, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL, February 7, 2006
  • “Globalization and Poverty,” Young Adult Ecumenical Forum on Globalization and Poverty, Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO, August 11-12, 2005
  • “Globalization Seminar,” faculty development seminar at Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC, May 4, 2005
  • “Women and Abortion,” Planning Parenthood panel, Let’s Talk About Sex, Africana Women’s Studies/Womanist Religious Studies 2nd Annual Summit: Bennett College for Women, Greensboro, NC, April 9, 2005
  • “Postcolonial Perspectives on the Church,” Women’s Voices and Visions on Being Church, National Council of Churches in Christ, USA and World Council of Churches North American regional consultation, Stony Point, NY,November 4-7, 2004
  • “Feminist Theology and the Ethics of Globalization,” Feminist Theology and Globalization Conference for Oxford Handbook on Feminist Theology, Durham, NC, October 22, 2004
  • “Typologies of Globalization” and“Examining the Moral Challenges of Solidarity for the First World,” Young Adult Ecumenical Forum on Globalization and Economic Justice, World Council of Churches, Nashville, TN, July 21-25, 2004

Professional Activities

Member:

American Academy of Religion, 1996-present
Society of Christian Ethics, 2000-present
Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, member, 2003-present
International Association for Feminist Economics, member, 2003-present
Association for Social Economics, member, 2004-present
Social Ethics Network (formerly Theological Educators for Presbyterian Social Witness), member, 2004-present

Service Activities

SACReD (Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity), Founding Board member, 2021-present

Burlington Community Land Trust, Founding Board member, 2021-2023; Advisory Board, 2023- present

Greensboro Clinic Escort, 2021-present

Planned Parenthood Federation of America Clergy Advocacy Board, member, 2021-present

Planned Parenthood Votes South Atlantic, Board member, 2019-present

Awards

  • Foreword INDIES Silver Award, Women’s Studies, 2018 and Honorable Mention, Religion, 2018 (for Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice)
  • Nautilus Silver Award Winner, Religion/Spirituality of Western Thought category, 2018 (for Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice)
  • Walter Wink Scholar-Activist Award, Auburn Seminary, 2018
  • Elon University Distinguished Scholar Award, 2012
  • 2007 CHOICE Award for Outstanding Academic Title, American Library Association, (for Justice in a Global Economy: Strategies for Home, Community, and World)
  • Honorable Mention, Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights 2005 Outstanding Book Awards (for In Search of the Good Life: The Ethics of Globalization)
  • Excellence in Scholarship Award, Elon College of Arts and Sciences, 2004                                                        
  • Trinity Prize, Trinity Press International, 2003 (for In Search of the Good Life: The Ethics of Globalization)
  • Jepson Award (University of Richmond) for Outstanding Dissertation in Leadership Studies, 2002           
  • Anne M. Bennett and John C. Bennett Fellowship, 1996