Natalie Readnour
Graduate Candidate in Religion and Culture
Natalie Readnour is a Ph.D. candidate in Religion and Culture at Southern Methodist University. Her dissertation, tentatively titled Justice, Community, and Desire: Latina Feminist Perspectives on Altar Building and Embodied Knowledge, deals with Mexican American material religious practice as source of justice and agency for Mexican American women. She received a B.A. in Religious Studies and Sociology from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and a Master of Divinity from the Boston University School of Theology, where she also received a certificate in Theology and Latinx Studies.
Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Harold J. Recinos
Presentations:
“Altars of Desire: Embodied Liberative Practice among Latina Women.” Paper presented at The Southwest Commission on Religious Studies Annual Meeting. Las Colinas, TX. March 2026.
“Women Giving Birth to Themselves: Liminal Motherhood and Liberation in the Work of Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz and Frida Kahlo.” Paper presented at The American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. November 2024.
“Connecting to God After Abuse: Altars of La Virgen de Guadalupe Among Survivors of IPV.” Paper presented at The American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. November 2024.
“She-Preachers: Austin College Women in Ministry.” Panelist. The R. Girard Lowe Lectureship, Austin College. Sherman, Texas. February 2024.
Fellowships/Awards:
Madeleva Fellowship
St. Mary’s College Notre Dame | 2025
En Conjunto Fellowship
Hispanic Theological Initiative | 2023–Present
Raíces Latinas Fellowship
Boston University School of Theology | 2020–2023
Phi Alpha Theta
National History Honor Society
The Catherine Rosalie Fincher Kucera Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Religious Studies
Austin College | 2019
The John S. and Rachel Heard Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in History
Austin College | 2019
The Russell V. Rogers Sr. Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student Studying for the Ministry
Austin College | 2018
