Book
This fall, I’m delighted to share my third book with you: The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto.
The Dignity of Dependence is the flowering of many conversations here at Other Feminisms. The book lies at the intersection of two controversial claims.
Women’s equality with men is not premised on our interchangeability with men.
Dependence on others is not a temporary embarrassment at the beginning (and end) (and much of the middle) of our lives but the pattern for how we live together.
Everyone begins their existence as a baby, radically and intimately dependent on one, particular woman. We don’t grow out of dependence as we grow up. Our needs change and we’re able to choose to extend ourselves in response to the needs of others.
Praise from early readers
"This book cuts through tribal lines to offer something truly innovative: a vision that is pro-feminist, pro-femaleness, and pro–human life, that sees the interests of men and women as interdependent rather than at odds. This is an exciting, provocative, original book." ―Abigail Favale, author of The Genesis of Gender
"This wise, perceptive book is an essential corrective to the tendency of our society to identify independence with flourishing. As Leah Libresco Sargeant shows, flourishing is only possible if we depend on those we love, and if they depend on us. This is essential reading for all who have been shaped toward blindness to this simple truth―and so maybe for men above all." ―Yuval Levin, author of American Covenant
"Leah Libresco Sargeant is one of those rare prophetic voices: redescribing the world around us to see it with fresh perception, and enjoining us to a future worth building together. These stories and ideas of dependence-with-dignity will help readers find their way to a vision of life with needfulness fully intact, a gift economy of both giving and receiving." ―Sara Hendren, author of What Can a Body Do?
"This book isn’t just a feminist manifesto―it’s a human manifesto. It is one of the wisest and most compelling portrayals of human dignity I’ve ever read."―Karen Swallow Prior, author of You Have a Calling
Fall Book Tour
I’m excited to travel this fall to share The Dignity of Dependence with many of you this fall! I’ll be speaking in the following cities:
Sept 4: Washington DC, Abundance DC
Sept 18: UMich, Program on Health, Spirituality, & Religion
Sept 19: UMich, Kateri Institute
Sept 26-27: Denver, Centennial Institute @ Colorado Christian University
Oct 2: NYC, First Things/Plough
Oct 3: Philly area, Martin Saints
Oct 7: Washington DC, Catholic Information Center
Oct 10-11: Baylor, Front Porch Republic
Oct 23: Harvard Catholic Chaplaincy
Oct 24: Yale Elm Institute
Oct 25: Yale Vita et Veritas
Nov 1: Shoreview, MN, St. Odilia Catholic Community
Nov 12-13: South Bend, Saint Mary's College
Nov 13-15: South Bend, De Nicola Fall Conference
Dec 2: Private event in Greenville SC (so contact me asap if you want to try to tack on a public event)
And you can email me if you hope I come your way in the spring!