Gaela Dennison-Leonard
Hamilton College
Project
Robes for the Modern Woman: Monastic Women and Community Strength
India,Malaysia,Thailand,Australia
Religious communities provide refuge and support to women who would often be denied independence, education, and basic human rights. Through religious groups, women can also address wider community needs. Yet in the modern world, these women often face enormous obstacles both before and after entering monastic life. I will immerse myself in women’s monastic orders and activist groups, learning from their journeys, accomplishments, and struggles to connect with and serve the wider community while staying true to their beliefs.