A collection of oral histories of American nuns, capturing their experiences over the past fifty years. Brings together women from more than forty different religious communities, most of whom entered religious life before Vatican II.

Rev. ed. of: Poverty, chastity, and change.

From the past into the present. Evolving ministries. In the schools ; Missionary workers ; In hospitals and clinics ; Serving the underserved ; Pastoral work ; Spiritual companions ; In the cloister ; On the cutting edge -- Changing attitudes. Encounters with Judaism ; The creative dimension ; Two African-American voices ; Structures and fissures ; Summoned to lead ; The decision to leave -- From the present into the future. Staying the course ; Living in the present ; Envisioning the future.