Here are your weekend must reads. Nominated for a Latin Grammy, LGBT Catholic Gina Chavez is inspired by her travels, social justice and her wife. Biography of Nancy Pelosi focuses not on who she is as a person, but rather what she has accomplished.
A self-described "super Catholic geek," singer-songwriter Gina Chavez attended youth groups and Bible studies and World Youth Day while growing up in Austin. During junior year at the University of Texas at Austin, she joined the UT Catholic Center. And it was through the Catholic Center — on a retreat after graduation — that she met Jodi Granado, who would later become her wife.
Chavez, now 38, describes herself as a queer, multi-ethnic Latinx Catholic, who attends Mass with Granado at St. Austin Parish, just outside the campus of her alma mater.
She's known for her versatile, bilingual music, featuring rhythms influenced by her travels in Latin America and lyrics often inspired by social justice themes and by her relationship with Granado. Chavez's latest album, La Que Manda, ("The woman in charge") was nominated for a Latin Grammy award for best pop/rock album. The winners will be announced Nov. 19.
Read more about Chavez here.
Pelosi is billed as a biography, and although it contains autobiographical shards, its content belies that categorization. It might better be described as a history of the House of Representatives during the Nancy Pelosi era; it offers a deeper understanding of the wheeling, dealing and horse-trading of the legislative process.
This focus derives in part from Pelosi herself. She is driven by a sense of mission — to help America, especially its children — and not to advance herself. This may result from feminine modesty or Catholic humility, but her raison d'être is not to become a celebrity, but to negotiate the best deal for America. The book illustrates the hardball inner workings of the legislative branch better than the inner workings of Nancy Pelosi.
You can read more of the book review here.
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Weekend wrap-up
NCR Forward members are regularly invited to special member-only events. On Thursday is a discussion with three Black leaders who will share their reflections on how their ministries help them continue the journey of Black Catholics in the U.S. Catholic Church. Become a member today to be part of this event.
Also, Global Sisters Report is hosting a virtual program on the Sisters of Selma with professor emerita Carol Coburn, who conducted a Q&A series, Mercy Sr. Patricia McCann and Therese Stawowy, who was a Sister of Loretto when she marched in Selma. The three will share their experiences in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, how it influenced their lives and ministries, and their insights on the parallels and differences with the ongoing struggle to counter structural racism today. Anyone can register for the Tuesday event here.
See you next weekend,
Stephanie Yeagle
NCR Production/Online Editor
[email protected]
Twitter: @ncrSLY
