Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, in her most troubled and turbulent times, God has raised up great saints as beacons of hope in the midst of darkness. Among these great saints, the four women Doctors of the Church stand out as models of courage, wisdom, and trust. Their example and teachings remain with us, are relevant to the challenges of our own day, and urge us on to renewal with unwavering hope. “Trust shows the way,” wrote Saint Hildegard of Bingen. These words set the courageous standard by which she, Teresa of Ávila, Catherine of Siena, and Thérèse of Lisieux lived. The phrase can be considered the watchword for the Church in every age, and especially in our own. In Women of Hope, Terry Polakovic introduces these amazing women and describes the troubled times in which they lived and persevered. These women remind us that God can work through anyone to bring about his purpose. They prove to us that, as Christians, we can live in confident hope, no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Terry Polakovic is cofounder of Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) and served as president of the organization from 2003 to 2015. Before retiring, she worked in nonprofit leadership for more than thirty years. In 2010, she received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (“For the Church and the Pontiff”) award from Pope Benedict XVI. In 2011, Terry was recognized as an Outstanding Catholic Leader by the Catholic Leadership Institute. She is the author of Life and Love: Opening Your Heart to God’s Design (Our Sunday Visitor, 2018). She lives in Colorado with her husband, Mike.

Many books have described victims of rape and battering, but scant attention has been paid to another form of harm increasingly common among women. Here at last is a book that provides help for the thousands of women who secretly inflict violence on themselves. Filled with moving stories, this powerful and compassionate book is the first to focus on women who harm themselves through self-mutilation, compulsive cosmetic surgeries, eating disorders, and other forms of chronic injury to the body.

At the greatest moments and in the cruelest times, black women have been a crucial part of America's history. Now, the inspiring history of black women in America is explored in vivid detail by two leaders in the fields of African American and women's history. A Shining Thread of Hope chronicles the lives of black women from indentured servitude in the early American colonies to the cruelty of antebellum plantations, from the reign of lynch law in the Jim Crow South to the triumphs of the Civil Rights era, and it illustrates how the story of black women in America is as much a tale of courage and hope as it is a history of struggle. On both an individual and a collective level, A Shining Thread of Hope reveals the strength and spirit of black women and brings their stories from the fringes of American history to a central position in our understanding of the forces and events that have shaped this country.

We Are Afghan Women chronicles the lives of young and old, daughters and mothers, educated and those who are still learning. Their stories are a stark reminder that women's progress in society, business, and politics cannot be taken for granted. Many of these women face serious risks for speaking so openly, but they want the world to listen. Their words will change not only how we as Americans see Afghanistan but also how we understand the complex challenges still facing women and girls around the globe.

When we get out of bed in the morning, we don't know what the day ahead holds. It could be routine. It could be amazing. It could be devastating. No matter what each day holds, one of the biggest influences on the direction our days take is our own attitude. We can live in fear, worry, and anxiety, or we can choose to live with purpose, trusting God in every circumstance. Compact and concise, Carolyn Larsen's Words of Comfort for Women and Words of Hope for Women each offer you 90 inspiring devotional readings that will help you remember God's presence in your days and see your world from a positive perspective. These short, to-the-point readings illuminate God's promises and show you just how they apply to your everyday life. Beautifully designed, these devotionals are the perfect gift for a friend--and for yourself.

Catholic Women Confront Their Church tells the stories of nine exceptional women who have chosen to remain Catholic despite their deep disagreements with the institutional church. From Barbara Blaine, founder of Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), to Sister Simone Campbell, whose “Nuns on the Bus” tour for social justice generated national attention, the book highlights women whose stories illustrate not only problems in the church but also the promise of reform. The women profiled span a diverse range of ages, ethnicities, and experiences—single and married, lesbian and straight, mothers and sisters. The women profiled share one trait—that faith is bigger than the institutional church. The book’s Introduction provides readers with an essential overview of the history of women in the church, and the Conclusion looks at the potential for future change. Ideal for anyone who has struggled with the Catholic church’s relationship with women, this moving book offers hope.

Features photographs and biographies of thirteen African-American women, including Maya Angelou, Ruby Dee, and Alice Walker.