Some might think that the “title” of this lecture has to be incorrect–after all, is not Mary the most prominent woman in history? How could one possibly present her as marginalized? In fact, Mary, the mother of Jesus is at once the “best known” and “least known” woman in human history. Unquestionably her name is more familiar to more people than any other woman over the past 2000 years–yet she was totally TRANSFORMED from the Jewish woman, likely widowed, of seven to ten children, to a barely human–even heavenly figure– of piety. Mary, the mother of Jesus is at once...