Discovering voices among peculiar quietness: an analysis of U.S. Mennonite women’s rhetoric in the church press 1963-1977

Abstract

This research is a quantitative content analysis and qualitative rhetorical analysis of U.S. Mennonite women’s rhetoric in two prominent Mennonite publications, The Gospel Herald and The Mennonite, between 1963 and 1977. During this time period 150,000 Mennonites considered themselves members of the church. The context of each paper was identified through content analysis Women who chose to submit articles to the church press faced enormous obstacles when promoting gender equality. Gender equality was a direct challenge to Mennonite’s traditional view of "divine order," which is a hierarchy of God, man, then woman. Due to the these obstacles Mennonite female authors who were supportive of gender equality took on a facilitating tone and a double identity persona comprised of both Mennonite and feminist. Mennonite women who supported a more traditional view of gender roles had an instructional tone and a "selfhate" persona. Invitational rhetorical theory helps to explain the rhetorical choices made my female rhetors during this time period.