Report by Sid Reger, ASWM President
With the theme “Self and Goddess: Personal, Political, Spiritual,” ASWM’s second annual Symposium gathered more than 50 women from the Midwest, both coasts, and Canada. It was an exciting day of presentations and networking among women working to develop arts and scholarship concerning mythic women and goddesses.
Our keynote speaker was Egyptologist Normandi Ellis, author of Dreams of Isis, Feasts of Light, and other works that examine the significance of ancient goddess mythology to contemporary seekers.
To see a complete report of presentations, with photos of the event, check out the blog post by storyteller/songwriter Nancy Vedder-Shults.
As the informal “MC” for the day, I had the privilege of watching and listening to a wide variety of presenters, and of watching as connections were made that would outlast the day.
Lydia Ruyle's goddess banners watched over the presentations
Thanks are due to all presenters and board members. I especially want to acknowledge the staff of the Goodman Atwood Community Center for all of their help—it’s a beautiful facility. And my heartfelt thanks to the women who helped with logistics, registration, and technical assistance: Nan Brooks, Daña Alder, Lia Treffman, and Sara Blackthorne.
Wow! I’m so glad I’ll be there. Good work, Patricia and Sid.
What a fascinating weekend, I learned so much. Thank you, Sid and Patricia, and all the other womyn who volunteered time and energy to make this interesting symposium happen. I look forward to next year’s conference.
Great organization–great website. Will you be doing book reviews? Please keep me posted on membership information.
Thanks
Hi Dolores,
Thanks for your interest. Yes, we plan to begin reviewing books in the near future!
Sid Reger
I am so sorry I missed this, but Iwill be sure to attend next year. I am also interested in membership. Presently finishing up my last two classes here at Cleveland State University and then heading out to San Francisco to attend the Women’s Spirituality Program at CIIS, where mythology, ecofeminism, shamanism, and bardic and oracular traditions will be areas of particular focus for me. You are a force of nature, Patricia! Hope to see you again in the near future. Brightest Blessings!