Private Woman in Public Spaces: Barbara Jordan's Speeches on Ethics, Public Religion, and Law (African American Religious Thought & Life) [Paperback]

Barbara A. Holmes (Author)

Book Description

Series: African American Religious Thought & Life | Publication Date: June 1, 2000

Barbara Jordan was a private woman in public spaces. She emerged from the obscurity of Houston’s segregated Fifth Ward to become the first African American Congresswoman elected from Texas since Reconstruction and a keynote speaker at two national Democratic conventions. Although her public career began in politics, she soon became known for her ethics, her vision of community, and her passion for education and public service. Jordan challenged the nation to reclaim constitutional ideals, adhere to moral principles, and commit to a pluralism that was dynamic and transformative. In her speeches she emerges as a woman who views public life as an opportunity to share the very best that the human spirit can conceive. This provocative and creative work offers the first comprehensive analysis of Jordan’s written speeches, with particular emphasis on the period that begins with the Watergate years and ends with her immigration initiatives. Ethics, public religion, and law are the three themes that predominate in Jordan’s speeches. On these themes, Jordan’s voice is heard in juxtaposition with contemporaries Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Thurgood Marshall, Rabbi Abraham Heschel, bell hooks, and others. Barbara A. Holmes received her law degree from Mercer University and her religion degree from Vanderbilt University. She is currently Assistant Professor of Ethics and African American Religious Studies at Memphis Theological Seminary>

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Barbara A. Holmes has skillfully brought together Barbara Jordan's magnificent life and words in a compelling combination."--Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, District of Columbia (Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C. )

"This book should be read by all who are interested in seeing how moral integrity, religious commitment, legal knowledge, and political wisdom were integrated in the life and work of Barbara Jordan, the first African American woman elected to the Congress from the South. There is an amazing ethical congruence between the author’s rigorous analysis of Jordan’s speeches and the rhetorical style of the speeches themselves. Both discern and exemplify social justice in their respective activities."--Peter J. Paris, Elmer G. Homrighausen Professor Christian Social Ethics, Princeton Theological Seminary (Peter J. Paris, Princeton Theological Seminary )

"The book is an excellent short introduction to the thought of a remarkable American. All readership levels; academic, public, and school libraries." --F. G. Kirkpatrick, Trinity College (CT), reviewing for Choice, March 2001 (F. G. Kirkpatrick )

"Holmes has indeed done a great work. Her project deserves the serious attention of all who are interested in promoting unity and community in the midst of our great diversity."--Ray A. Owens,Princeton Theological Seminary, Koinonia XIII.2 Fall 2001 (Ray A. Owens Koinonia Journal )

"Holmes provides a handy overview of some of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan's important speeches. The book is readable and accessible to a broad readership. Holmes organizes her work in four parts, dealing with the person, the speeches, the themes, and the vision respectively...This is a work well worth reading for those who are interested not only in the speeches of Barbara Jordan but in a life lived for greater good of all people."--Demetrius K. Williams, Religious Studies Review, January 2003 (Demetrius K. Williams )

"Barbara A. Holmes has skillfully brought together Barbara Jordan's magnificent life and words in a compelling combination."--Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, District of Columbia (, )

"This book should be read by all who are interested in seeing how moral integrity, religious commitment, legal knowledge, and political wisdom were integrated in the life and work of Barbara Jordan, the first African American woman elected to the Congress from the South. There is an amazing ethical congruence between the author’s rigorous analysis of Jordan’s speeches and the rhetorical style of the speeches themselves. Both discern and exemplify social justice in their respective activities."--Peter J. Paris, Elmer G. Homrighausen Professor Christian Social Ethics, Princeton Theological Seminary (, )

"The book is an excellent short introduction to the thought of a remarkable American. All readership levels; academic, public, and school libraries." --F. G. Kirkpatrick, Trinity College (CT), reviewing for Choice, March 2001 (, )

"Holmes has indeed done a great work. Her project deserves the serious attention of all who are interested in promoting unity and community in the midst of our great diversity."--Ray A. Owens,Princeton Theological Seminary, Koinonia XIII.2 Fall 2001 (, Koinonia Journal )

"Holmes provides a handy overview of some of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan's important speeches. The book is readable and accessible to a broad readership. Holmes organizes her work in four parts, dealing with the person, the speeches, the themes, and the vision respectively...This is a work well worth reading for those who are interested not only in the speeches of Barbara Jordan but in a life lived for greater good of all people."--Demetrius K. Williams, Religious Studies Review, January 2003 (, )

About the Author

Barbara A. Holmes received her law degree from Mercer University and her religion degree from Vanderbuilt University. She is currently Assistant Professor of Ethics and African American Religious Studies at Memphis Theological Seminary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Trinity Press Int'l; 1 edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563383020
• ISBN-13: 978-1563383021
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,831,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Barbara A. Holmes is a writer and scholar, who publishes books about the intersection of ethics, spirituality, mysticism, cosmology and African Anerican religious culture. She is the former Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Memphis Theological Seminary. During her tenure as Dean, she founded a theology and arts program that engages urban issues through the arts. She currently serves as Professor of Ethics and African American Religious Studies. She was called to ministry while working as a corporate lawyer for the J.C. Penney Corporation, and was ordained in the Latter Rain Apostolic Holiness Church in Dallas, Texas. Today, she has privilege of call in the United Church of Christ and recognition of ministerial standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Dr. Holmes grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, and was a member of Dixwell Avenue Congregational Church. She is currently a member of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis.

Dr. Holmes has earned the following degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Theatre Arts from the University of Connecticut; a Master of Science in Education from Southern Connecticut University; a Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Religion (Ethics) from Vanderbilt. She earned a law degree from Walter F. George School of Law, at Mercer University and practiced law in Miami, Atlanta, Macon and Dallas. She specialized in civil litigation, corporate, and appellate practice. She says, "I have been called to work in diverse settings, where the call to serve also invites the human spirit to engage in radical creativity."

In addition to her work with law firms, she has worked with homeless missions, HIV/AIDS ministries, and international ministries in Kenya (the Presbyterian Church of East Africa) and Japan. The author of four books and numerous articles, her most recent publications include: Liberation and the Cosmos: Conversations with the Elders and Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church. Dr. Holmes has two sons: Marcus, a film director, and Jason a musician and songwriter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book about a wonderful woman, January 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Private Woman in Public Spaces: Barbara Jordan's Speeches on Ethics, Public Religion, and Law (African American Religious Thought & Life) (Paperback)

This is a very intellegent book about the speeches of Barbara Jordan. The author connects history, politics, and religion in a way that gives you a complete picture of Barbara Jordan's life. . .