Mary Daly, feminist theology professor who barred men from her Boston College classroom, dies

Daly, Boston College feminist theology prof, dies

BOSTON — Feminist theologian and author Mary Daly, who retired from a professorship at Boston College rather than allow men to take her classes, has died.

College spokesman Jack Dunn confirmed Wednesday that Daly died Sunday at a Massachusetts nursing home. She was 81. He says she had been ill for some time.

Daly had a stormy 33-year tenure at the Jesuit university.

She challenged the patriarchy of the Roman Catholic church in her writings. She said she barred men from her class because women did not freely exchange ideas with them present, though she did privately tutor men.

In 1999, the university ordered her to accept a male student who threatened to sue. She took a leave of absence and filed a lawsuit. It was settled in 2001 with her retirement.