The Drew Theological School alum returned to Drew to highlight women in her own teaching
March 2024 – Drew Theological School Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) alum Janet Antico T’20,’26 has returned to Drew to earn her Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree.
She is enrolled in the Courageous Leadership in a Changing Culture cohort with a concentration in Women’s Religious Leadership.
Antico is a Sacred Scripture and Social Justice Teacher at the Academy of St. Elizabeth, an all girls Catholic high school in Convent Station, New Jersey. In addition, she is faculty advisor to the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice Student Union, the Vision Club (LGBTQ+ students and allies), Helping the Homeless club, and Campus Ministry. She is the recipient of the 2024 Mother Xavier Award from the Sisters of Charity.
“I believe this program will meet my goals by enhancing my credentials and increasing my presence at workshops, retreats, and educating seminarians, our congregations, and Catholic colleges, too,” she said.
As part of her DMin project, Antico would like to formally publish her Sacred Scripture class curriculum with the hopes to have it as a feminist/womanist Catholic resource in the form of lesson plans, textbooks and workbooks. Read on to learn more.
Why Drew Theological School?
I pursued my master’s at Drew because I was questioning the doctrine of the Catholic Church and needed answers. Specifically, to be in a space to challenge the doctrine that prevents women from being in authority or leadership positions in our church, to pursue truth and justice for girls and women.
Why did you return to earn your DMin?
I love teaching and I have revamped the Scripture curriculum at the high school to include and promote the women in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, highlighting the active involvement of our foremothers in our faith, focusing on the Divine Feminine, and more. With this curriculum, the students can see themselves in their faith with the result being to encourage and empower them as our future leaders.
