The Women & Spirituality Conference was founded in 1981 through a collaboration between the Mankato State University Departments of Religious Studies & Women’s Studies and the United Christian Campus Center.
Purpose
“Our purpose is to provide a supportive and nurturing setting for a dialogue of caring and mutual respect between and among women from many spiritual and religious traditions. The conference does not advocate or exclude any view and continues to foster an understanding and celebration of similarities and differences. May we continue to aid one another on our individual and communal spiritual journeys.”
The Women and Spirituality Conference is dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing space, celebrating the uniqueness of women of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds.
As we set our intentions for a sustainable future, we acknowledge our relationships with all of life and the land that sustains us. This years conference will be held at the Cascade Meadow Wetlands Environmental Science Center, part of St Mary’s University campus. The site was chosen for its opportunity to engage intentionally and respectfully with the land and the water. We seek to explore the relationship between the Earth, the Land and the Great Mother who sustains us.
“The Goddess in all her manifestations was a symbol of the unity of all life in Nature. Her power was in water and stone, in tomb and cave, in animals and birds, snakes and fish, hills, trees, and flowers. Hence the holistic and mythopoeic perception of the sacredness and mystery of all there is on Earth. … The Goddess gradually retreated into the depths of forests or onto mountaintops, where she remains to this day in beliefs and fairy stories. Human alienation from the vital roots of earthly life ensued, the results of which are clear in our contemporary society. But the cycles never stop turning, and now we find the Goddess reemerging from the forests and mountains, bringing us hope for the future, returning us to our most ancient human roots.”
Marija Gimbutas, “The Language of the Goddess”
Land Acknowledgment
Out of respect for First Nations people, we would like to acknowledge that our conference will be held on Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Dakota/Lakota) territory. While this acknowledgment may be seen by some as a political gesture, it is meant in all sincerity to promote awareness and to cause discomfort. The Women & Spirituality Conference pledges to donate 10% of its profits to supporting marginalized indigenous First Nations people.
“If we think of territorial acknowledgments as sites of potential disruption, they can be transformative acts that to some extent undo Indigenous erasure. I believe this is true as long as these acknowledgments discomfit both those speaking and hearing the words. The fact of Indigenous presence should force non-Indigenous peoples to confront their own place on these lands.” – Chelsea Vowel, Métis, Beyond Territorial Acknowledgements
Mission and Vision Statement
Vision: To embody the wisdom of the divine feminine through spiritual awakening and alignment with our soul’s purpose, empowering women to co-create a balanced, harmonious world through community, sisterhood and inclusion.
Mission: To provide a safe, welcoming environment for women in all stages of life, from all cultures and backgrounds where they can experience meaningful engagement, interaction and community through workshops, celebrations and ceremonies designed to create an empowering, transformational holistic healing experience. We strive to embody the values of the divine feminine including compassion, belonging, cooperation, gentleness, acceptance, with honor and reverence for the earth and all her gifts.
We recognize the challenges presented by gender normative social constraints and seek to create a space where we are passionate about inclusion. If you are called to hear the wisdom of the divine feminine then this is a safe space for you. We do not seek to create division or sew discord but to open our hearts and minds to the value in understanding our differences. Only then can we collaborate and find true community.
The great work of our time is to bring the feminine into the culture. And it is not an easy path. How does each one of us contribute? Believe it or not, it’s done in the most personal ways. Take time to listen to your dreams. Write them down. Take time to recognize that there are things going on within you that need to be felt, or said, or lived, or grieved. Pay attention to those things both in yourself and in the people in your life. Pay attention to the authentic self.
Marion Woodman
“Since 1981 the Women & Spirituality conference has supported thousands of women on their personal path towards healing and wholeness. From learning about the religions and spiritual traditions of the world, to exploring alternative healing modalities, women have come forward to present their work, share their stories and offer their gifts. It has brought us together on our shared journey towards healing, growth and ultimately our own path to finding our Soul’s purpose. We hope you can join us in co-creating a renewed, sustainable future.”
Virginia Cooper, Conference Coordinator