There is a general misunderstanding that matriarchal societies are “ruled by women.”

According to modern matriarchal studies, these non-patriarchal societies are actually shown to be gender-egalitarian and consensus-based societies, actively creating peace and sustainability.

Dr. Heide Goettner-Abendroth, a philosopher and researcher on culture and society known as the founding “Mother of Modern Matriarchal Studies,” will present “Societies in Balance: Re-thinking Matriarchy in Modern Matriarchal Studies” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 in the Student Union Ingman Room.

The lecture will provide an outline of the deep structure of matriarchal societies, including economic, social, political, and cultural aspects, which have been gained from cross-cultural research on still existing indigenous matriarchal societies all over the world.

Goettner-Abendroth, who was born in Thuringia, Germany, earned her Ph.D. in philosophy of science at the University of Munich where she taught philosophy for ten years. She is the founder and director of the International Academy HAGIA for Matriarchal Studies and Matriarchal Spirituality in Germany.

In 2003, Goettner-Abendroth organized and guided the 1st World Congress on Matriarchal Studies in Luxembourg and in 2005 the 2nd World Congress on Matriarchal Studies in San Marcos, Texas.

She was elected in 2005 by the international initiative “1000 Peace Women Across the Globe” as a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The lecture is sponsored by Department of Women’s and Gender Studies at The University of Toledo.

Tags: College of Languages Literature and Social Sciences