Book Review: Encyclopedia of American Women and Religion, 2nd Ed.

Women have had a major role in religion throughout history but have been consistently overlooked, providing a sound purpose and intention for this two-volume encyclopedia. The expertise shown in the comprehensive coverage is a credit to the author, June Melby Benowitz, a history professor whose research emphasizes the history of women. These volumes primarily cover the nineteenth, twentieth, and early twenty-first century. The individual entries are relatively short, between five and six paragraphs. It is a perfect starting point in the research process for students in American history, women’s studies, or theology classes.