New
New
Year 9

Delores S. Williams and womanist theology

I can explain how Delores S. Williams’ worldview influenced her development of womanist theology.

New
New
Year 9

Delores S. Williams and womanist theology

I can explain how Delores S. Williams’ worldview influenced her development of womanist theology.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Williams overcame segregation, personal loss, and societal challenges to become a pioneering womanist theologian.
  2. Her book 'Sisters in the Wilderness' shifted the focus of Christian faith to survival, community, and justice.
  3. Her womanist theology empowers Black women, highlighting their resilience and faith.
  4. Williams' womanist retelling of Hagar's story is significant to many African American women.

Keywords

  • Resilience - the ability to endure hardship and keep moving forward

  • Survival - persevering through systemic oppression, despite the challenges of racism, sexism and discrimination

  • Womanist theology - highlights Black women’s struggles, strength and faith, addressing both race and gender

Common misconception

Liberation is not always about escaping suffering.

Many Black women find strength in their faith and ability to survive hardship, not because God removes their suffering, but because His liberating presence sustains them.


To help you plan your year 9 religious education lesson on: Delores S. Williams and womanist theology, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Focus on Hagar’s perspective by exploring her resilience and faith through her emotional journey. Encourage students to view her not as a victim, but as a woman of strength and agency, shaped by her experiences and her relationship with God.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Saint of Lima was the first person from the Americas to be canonised.
Correct Answer: Rose, rose
Q2.
Where was Saint Rose of Lima born?
Mexico
Spain
Correct answer: Peru
Q3.
What did Saint Rose of Lima reject in order to focus on prayer and solitude?
Correct answer: marriage
religion
career
Q4.
Saint Rose of Lima is known as the patron saint of which group of people?
farmers
sailors
Correct answer: Indigenous peoples
Q5.
What practice did Saint Rose of Lima follow to deepen her spiritual connection?
writing prayers
Correct answer: extreme asceticism
building schools
Q6.
When is Saint Rose of Lima’s feast day celebrated in Peru?
Correct answer: 30th August
15th September
1st December

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
The Jim Crow were a set of state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States.
Correct Answer: laws, Laws
Q2.
What is one key focus of Delores S. Williams’ theology?
wealth and prosperity
Correct answer: survival, community and justice
personal happiness
Q3.
Who is a key influence on Delores S. Williams’ womanist theology?
Correct answer: Alice Walker
Sojourner Truth
Maya Angelou
Q4.
What did Delores S. Williams emphasise about Black women’s faith?
They are often weak in faith.
They should focus only on personal well-being.
Correct answer: Their resilience and strength in the face of hardship.
Q5.
What does womanist theology challenge traditional Christianity to do?
Correct answer: acknowledge and honour Black women’s lived experiences
focus only on salvation
ignore Black women’s experiences

Additional material

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