2016 ASWM Conference: “Seeking Harbor in Our Histories: Lights in the Darkness”

April 1-2, 2016, Boston, Massachusetts 

Boston Marriott Burlington Hotel

Goddess Scholarship draws on historical, ethnographic and folk sources, among others, to document and honor the sacred and mundane stories which animate the traditions and spiritual lives of our global sisters and our foremothers.

This year’s conference theme embraces the heritage of location in the historical City of Boston, a harbor city rich in stories and symbols of First Nations of the Atlantic Northeast and the formation of the United States.

We are delighted to announce presentations by three outstanding keynote speakers.  Dr. Lucia Chiavola Birnbaum,  feminist cultural historian and author of  Black Madonnas, Dark Mother:  African origins and godmothers, The Future Has an Ancient Heart, and, forthcoming, black bird in a pear tree.  Dr. Elinor Gadon is a Resident Scholar of the Brandeis University Women’s Studies Research Center, and is author of  The Once and Future Goddess:  A Symbol for Our Time and Tiger by the Tail:  Women Artists of Indian Transforming Culture.  Dr. Margaret M. Bruchac (Abenaki), is an anthropologist, museum consultant, historian, and performer. Her work includes Indigenous Archaeologies: A Reader in Decolonization, and Dreaming Again:  Algonkian Poetry.

The program will include a special plenary session of authors featured  in the new anthology, Foremothers of the Women’s Spirituality Movement:  Elders and Visionaries, edited by Vicki Noble and Miriam Robbins Dexter.

Plan to come a day early to attend the Matriarchal Studies Day, held in the same venue, and watch for notices about post-conference events.

Watch this site for information and registration links.  See you there!