Theologian, Feminist, Ballerina, Mentor, and Friend: A Tribute to Dr. Ann Loades (1938–2022)

Download a PDF version of this article.

When considering PhD supervisors, the sage advice of Dr. Aída Besançon Spencer is worth considering. She said, “Find someone you would like to become like.” Imagine my delight in learning that Professor Ann Loades had agreed to supervise my PhD at Durham University! Having taught theology at Europe’s leading theological departments, Ann was a leader of leaders. The first woman to hold a personal chair as Professor of Divinity at Durham University, she was also the first woman president of the Society for the Study of Theology.¹ In 2001, Ann was the first woman to join the governing body of Durham Cathedral as a Chapter Member. What is more, in recognition of her theological achievements, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Ann the title Commander of the British Empire (CBE), an honor that, again, distinguished Ann from her peers.

A leading theologian, Ann lectured and published widely with a focus on feminist theology and related topics, both practical and theoretical.² To me, her brilliance and penetrating critique, coupled with the speed at which her thoughts flowed, was initially daunting. The sheer force of her competence was always balanced by a tender heart filled with compassion for those at the margins. As her PhD student, it was challenging to discuss a topic she knew better than most resources I consulted. Yet, she humbly guided my research even as my thoughts were in process, investing herself fully in serving me and those I was committed to serving. As I approached my dissertation defense, our relationship deepened around our shared love of ballet, spiritual theology, and equipping the church through our passions, our God-given gifts, and our advocacy for women’s humanity, dignity, and leadership.

My favorite memories are the post-graduate seminars Ann led yearly. These lectures nearly always included two to three comments in ancient and modern languages (for emphasis), and they often ended with jokes told in Latin. While attending academic conferences in the US, I had the pleasure of taking Ann on short tours around Minnesota and my favorite locations in Colorado, where I grew up. We also enjoyed time together at Gladstone’s Library in Wales and while working in Cambridge—where we shared meals and lengthy conversations, both personal and professional. When in the UK, my husband and I prioritized visits with Ann at the University of St Andrews (Scotland), where she served as an honorary professor of theology.³ In turn, Ann not only contributed to CBE’s academic journal, Priscilla Papers,⁴ she was also a strong supporter and advocate of CBE’s work.              

The last year of her life, she asked if I would coedit a revision of her groundbreaking book, Feminist Theology: A Reader. This was an honor I hardly deserved, but it was instructive of hanging in there with those we find initially intimidating. From my fears of uttering a sentence in her presence, to spending years and years dreaming and working beside Ann on our shared goals, her untimely death was an opportunity both to grieve and to express gratitude for a humble leader who gave so much to so many. We love you, Ann Loades.

Notes

1. Ann served as the editor of the journal Theology from 1991 to 1997. She was an Honorary Professorial Fellow at St Chad’s College, a Lay Canon Emerita of Durham Cathedral, and a former Chair of St Chad’s Council.
   
2. In 1987 Ann was the Scott Holland lecturer—an annual lecture series given by an Anglican scholar of religion and society. Ann gave the Spring 2022 Smith Lecture, titled “From Exception to Norm? Women in Theology.” A selected bibliography follows: The Serendipity of Life’s Encounters, My Theology series (Darton, Longman & Todd, 2021); “Reforming Women in England and Scotland: Claiming Authority to Speak of God,” in Contemporary Feminist Theologies: Power, Authority, Love, ed. Kerrie Handasyde, Cathryn McKinney, and Rebekah Pryor (Routledge, 2021) 100–16; “The Revelation of Abuse: Some Personal Reflections,” The Scottish Episcopal Institute Journal 5/1 (Spring 2021) 17–30; Grace Is Not Faceless: Reflections on Mary, ed. Stephen Burns (Darton, Longman & Todd, 2021); Grace and Glory in One Another’s Faces: Preaching and Worship (Canterbury, 2020); Feminist Theology: A Reader, ed. Ann Loades (SPCK, 1990); Searching for Lost Coins: Explorations in Christianity and Feminism (SPCK, 1987). A book of essays in her honor, Exchanges of Grace, was published by SCM HAWARDEN Press in 2008.
   
3. After retiring in 2003, Ann became emeritus professor at Durham University. In 2009 she became an honorary professor at the University of St Andrews where she also supervised research students and contributed in the university’s Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts.
   
4. See “C. S. Lewis on Gender,” Priscilla Papers 24/1 (Winter 2010) 19–24.