The Privilege of Being a Woman, by Dr. Alice von Hildebrand
Review by Jennifer Shanahan
In her book, The Privilege of Being a Woman, Dr. Alice von Hildebrand presents a clear and equitable argument against the modern misconceptions concerning the Church’s view on holy womanhood. While history has been dominated by the achievements of men, von Hildebrand insightfully proves that women’s role to humanity has been no less important, albeit different than her male counterpart. Applying Biblical, Historical and Ecclesial knowledge, she argues that the feminist approach to gaining equality with men by way of rejecting her most womanly qualities is unnatural, self depreciating and psychologically destructive. Through imitating the characteristics of the opposite sex, von Hildebrand reasons, a woman gains nothing, but rather forfeits those very attributes for which she was created.
In her first argument, von Hildebrand addresses the misinterpretation of the Holy Bible, particularly by modern feminists, whom the author G. K. Chesterton once remarked are those who ‘dislike the chief feminine characteristics# (Chesterton, 1910, p. 124).’ Nevertheless, many women and some men have fallen away from the Church under the assumption that the Bible infers the inferiority of woman. Leading feminist writer Simone de Beauvoir found the idea of Genesis particularly deplorable under the misinterpretation that it represents woman as a servant to man. De Beauvoir found it disgusting that the end result of Eve’s sin was the anguish of child labor, and was further appalled by the New Testament, in which Mary accepts the role of mother to a male savoir, declaring herself ’the handmaid of the Lord,’ and adoring the infant Christ at the nativity.
These, and other misrepresentations of the Holy Bible are thoroughly refuted by von Hildebrand, who contests that the old testament references to the pangs of child birth can be allegorically connected to the suffering and redemption of Christ on the cross. When the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is to bear in her very body the savior of the world, He calls her blessed and full of grace, thereby offering her a “unique role in the economy of salvation# (von Hildebrand, 2002, p. 17)” The church shows the esteem with which it regards woman in the New Testament further still through the Stations of the Cross. Here we find women taking active part in the love and sorrow of the most important event in human history. On his journey to Calvary we find Christ first meeting his blessed mother, then allowing Veronica to wipe His bloody, defiled face, and finally, comforting the women of Jerusalem who would be witnesses to His crucifixion. Von Hildebrand advocates the New Testament’s worthy representation of women further still in the character of Mary Magdalene, a woman and yet the first person whom Christ chooses to reveal Himself to after the resurrection.
Von Hildebrand continues to unfold the Church’s understanding of true femininity by exploring the aspects of woman’s nature that make her different from her male counterpart. First, as Edith Stein once wrote, “Woman naturally seeks to embrace that which is living, personal and whole# (Stein, 1987, p. 43).” In this way, she is able to humanize man who is so prone to abstraction. Moreover, woman’s beauty and gift of persuasion gives her the ability to awaken the hearts of men. A gift that if misused can result in his destruction rather than his refinement; as the author warns, “The power that women can wield over men is great indeed. If they pursue their own selfish aims, women are Satan’s slaves. If they put their charm at God service, they are God’s great allies# (von Hildebrand, 2002, p. 51). How often have I heard men say, “It is my wife who brought me back to God.” Heroines such as Esther and St. Scholastica are referred to by the author as women whose supplication was pleasing before both God and earthly kings.
Upon concluding her evaluation of the nature of woman, von Hildebrand proceeds to discuss the purpose, the supernatural mission, for which she was created. It is here that we find the most logical arguments against the modern feminist theory. First, von Hildebrand elaborates on the metaphysical relationship between womanhood and life. While some feminist ideology has perverted the concept of maternity into a repressive role from which to recoil in disgust, von Hildebrand reveals the hidden beauty behind this sacred mission through which God offers woman “the extraordinary privilege of carrying two souls in her body. (ibid, p. 63)” That is why woman so deeply offends her own nature by having an abortion; through this act she has forsaken her mission of bringing an immortal soul, created in God’s image, into the world. Likewise, a woman’s body, the way she dresses and carries herself, should reflect the beauty and mystery of her sacred mission. Through von Hildebrand’s plausible insights, one can perceive the ludicrousness of the Sexual Revolution which lacks positive correspondence to either the body or the soul.
Finally, von Hildebrand concludes her text by offering Mary as the prime example of femininity. Through Mary we learn of the magnificence of humility; that divine paradox through which God allows us to realize our nothingness in light of Himself. Furthermore, through Mary we can wholly appreciate the wonder of the female body, especially the womb through which the savior of the world was brought into being. Von Hildebrand also notes, “[Mary] alone combines two unique privileges given to women: virginity and maternity. Both callings are magnificent but they are not compatible. [God] makes one unique exception: for the sweet flower of Nazareth that He has chosen to be the mother of his son.” What blessings have been given to us by Christ’s worthy mother, who intercedes for us, her beloved children, and who offers us the protection of her mantle from the evil one, who “suffers infinitely from being beaten and punished by a little and humble handmaid of God (ibid, p. 105).”
In conclusion, I found Dr. von Hildebrand’s insights remarkable, leaving me with a new found sense of understanding and awe of my feminine nature and calling. Moreover, I believe my appreciation to the Catholic Church, the Bride of Christ and my devotion to the Blessed Mother have been strengthened due to the reinforcement that I am loved and known by both. In the words of Dr. von Hildebrand, “Indeed, it is a privilege to be a woman (ibid, p. 108).”