The journey of a 1,000 miles
Sybil Ludington’s ride to rally her father’s militia I’ll be teaching another Institute for Learning in Retirement class this fall: “Thank You Thomas Paine, and Goodbye.” I’m already feeling time pressure to complete the...
The “White man’s burden” and societies’ “evolution stages” required justifications. With the beginning of the industrial revolution that justification needed the weight of science.1 What made the white “man” superior? Science and politics turned...
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829) The Norwegian Code of the Realm (1274) shows the impact of Christian doctrine on women’s authority and autonomy. The code set standards protecting commoners from the power of the wealthy. It...
After the victory at Hastings (1066) William King of England vowed to retain the laws of King Edward. “See that Remigius the Bishop does not demand new customs within the Isle of Ely. For...
Aethelflaed ruled as lady of the Mercians in the English Midland (911-918 CE). Eldest child of Alfred the Great, king of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex There was a sharp change from women’s rights...
A note to apology for taking so long between “Means of Accomplishing” posts. This section on women losing their identity and autonomy is critical on its own and as insight to the loss of...
Otto Holy Roman Emperor The Holy Roman Empire (962-1806 CE) created a complicated Church’s legacy. “The Donation of Constantine” document1 granting its ruler control of Western Europe is acknowledged to be forged document. The...
The means of accomplishing Enlightenment ideals requires shaping society through rational efforts, ensuring equal rights for all, and ensuring everyone’s opportunity to improve their condition in life through reason and effort. Sparta and Imperial...
The protection of individual autonomy varied as sharply in ancient Rome as between Athens and Sparta. With Rome, however, there was a progression from rights being male citizens’ privileges to recognizing those rights in...
The preamble says the purpose of the U.S. Constitution (social contract) is to preserve its members “general welfare”. Accomplishing that requires an agreement to provide the necessary services and protections. These include assuring individual...
There isn’t “a history”, especially one of women’s personal autonomy. Instead, there are histories of whatever autonomy concerned the writer. Looking outside the expectations found in “Western” culture, women have enjoyed independence, leadership authority,...
