Mary McDermott Shideler
Shideler was a prolific writer throughout her life, publishing articles in both theological and psychology journals, along with stories, poetry, and books. After her divorce, facing life as a single, older woman, Shideler set out to write her autobiography. The result was a five-volume series entitled, Visions and Nightmares, Ends and Beginnings. Shideler spent many years being mentored by Peter Ossorio, founder of the Society for Descriptive Psychology. Shideler was a member of Theta Sigma Phi and the Colonial Dames of America. She also served as president of the American Theological Society (1976-1977), president of the Society for Descriptive Psychology (1981-1982), and editor of The Descriptive Psychology Bulletin (1978-1979). Mary McDermott Shideler was a noted theologian, psychologist, writer, friend and committed feminist. Following her father’s earlier guidance, Shideler was vocal in her opinions on such topics as abortion rights, education, global warming and the right to die.
“We [-women and men-] are all equal in our creaturehood, whatever our sex, color, age, background, or abilities. But we are all different in the functions we were created to perform, as different as water from stones, and engineering from imaginative fiction.”