Kerith Woodyard

Kerith Woodyard serves as Associate Professor and Assistant Chair in the Department of Communication at Northern Illinois University, specializing in rhetorical studies within public discourse contexts.

Education:

• Ph.D. from University of Utah

Her research interrogates intersections of rhetoric with gender, religion, and power structures. Woodyard pioneers feminist reinterpretations of rhetorical traditions, particularly examining women's contributions to religious discourse and protest movements. Her scholarship consistently challenges patriarchal frameworks while analyzing how marginalized groups deploy strategic ethos in public argument.

Recent publications reveal a trajectory connecting punk activism to prophetic traditions, with recurring themes of divine authority claims in social movements. Her work bridges rhetorical theory, religious studies, and cultural criticism—demonstrating how sacred narratives shape political resistance across historical contexts from 19th-century feminism to contemporary protest art.

Contact: Watson Hall 210, DeKalb IL 60115 | kwoodyard@niu.edu