Jesus, Jobs and Justice

New York Times review today of Bettye Collier-Thomas' authoritative Jesus, Jobs, and Justice: African-American Women and Religion. Reviewer Richard Thompson Ford states that:

Unfortunately, the civil rights movement has often lagged on the question of women’s equality even as it has led the nation on matters of race. Much of the blame for this must be borne by the religious institutions that have played a predominant role in the struggle for racial justice. Until recently, most black churches refused to grant women leadership roles, depriving them of the platform that so many black men have used to rally followers and challenge injustice. Despite these affronts, black women have remained the most faithful and abiding servants of the church, and they have been among the most diligent and effective activists for racial justice.