Past

“Past” is a site for articles relating to women in antiquity, early church history and New Testament archaeology. Posts are based on scholarly research and include resources in the field, such as peer-reviewed articles and books. Examining issues from a scholarly feminist perspective supports social justice in our current situation.

I am available in the New England and greater Albany areas, with advance notice, to present lectures on a number of topics in these fields. Lectures are illustrated with photos taken on-site in Greece, Italy, Great Britain, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Austria and former Yugoslavia. Sample lecture titles/topics include:

  • Women in the Early Jesus Movement: Literary and Archaeological Evidence
  • Pagan, Jewish and Christian Women in the Roman Empire: Literary and Archaeological Evidence
  • Paul’s Female Colleagues: Not Keeping Silence in the Churches OR The Women Around St. Paul: Setting the Record Straight
  • Archaeological Revelations from the Ancient Cities of Philippi and Corinth
  • Same-Sex Couples in the Early Church: Literary and Archaeological Evidence
  • Priestesses and Other Female Cult Leaders in the Early Christian Era
  • Evidence for a Christian Goddess: The Bendis-Zodiac Relief at Philippi
  • When Early Jesus Followers Revered a Female Deity
  • The Goddess and Healing: Nursing’s Heritage from Antiquity
  • How Archaeology Can Assist Early Christian Studies and Why it Matters
  • Pre-Christian Origins of the Labyrinth
  • Images of Mary in Christian Apocryphal Art
  • Ancient Goddess Imagery and its Influence on Christian Spirituality
  • Thecla, Paul and the Prehistoric Goddess
  • The Feminine/Androgynous Jesus
  • Trinities: Historical Alternatives to ‘Father, Son and Holy Ghost’
  • Trials and Tribulations of Translating Scripture: Implications for the 21st Century
  • Female Imagery in the Roman Catacombs
  • Religious Beliefs and Practices of Women From Prehistory through the Early Byzantine Era

Upcoming Events

  • Public slide lecture and discussion (admission fee), “Pagans, Jews, Jesus Followers, and the Birth of the West: An Archaeological and Literary Overview of the First Five Centuries CE,” Brattleboro Area Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Next Stage Arts Project, 15 Kimball Hill Road, Putney, VT, Sunday, October 22, 2023, 3:00-4:30 pm (registration required)
  • Public slide lecture and discussion in celebration of Women’s History Month (free admission), “Pagan, Jewish and Christian Women in the Roman Empire: Literary and Archaeological Evidence,” Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St, Brattleboro, VT, Monday, March 11, 2024, 7:00 pm

Past Events

  • Lecture and discussion, “Pagan, Jewish and Christian Women in the Roman Empire: Literary and Archaeological Evidence,” Manchester (VT) Community Library, March 25, 2023 (in celebration of Women’s History Month)
  • Lecture and discussion, “Pagan, Jewish and Christian Women in the Roman Empire,” Greenfield (Mass.) Community College Senior Symposia program, October 13, 2022, approximately 20 in attendance. Testimonials/feedback: “Excellent,” “extremely erudite,” “terrific presentation,” “kept our attention without ostentation.”
  • Lecture and discussion,“Archaeological Revelations from the Ancient Cities of Philippi and Corinth,” Carleton-Willard Village senior residence, Bedford, Mass., November 29, 2022; approximately 40 in attendance.
  • Lecture and discussion, “Archaeological Revelations from the Ancient Cities of Philippi and Corinth,” Atria Woodbriar senior residence, Falmouth, Mass., October 28, 2019; approximately 30 in attendance.
  • Lecture and discussion, “Archaeological Revelations from the Ancient Cities of Philippi and Corinth,” Osher @ Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, June 27, 2019. Testimonial: “Thanks again for your wonderful presentation yesterday. By my count 38 people attended and seemed to enjoy it thoroughly.” – Tom, Hanover, NH
  • Silent Advent Retreat, “Contemplating Mary in History, Music, Art and Liturgy,” at the Bishop Booth Conference Center, Episcopal Church in Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, December 7-8, 2018.
  • Lecture and discussion, “Pagan, Jewish and Christian Women in the Roman Empire: Literary and Archaeological Evidence,” Lasell Village, Newton, Mass., November 5, 2018; approximately 50 in attendance. Testimonial from two attendees: “We both found your talk interesting and informative.”
  • Lecture and discussion, “The Women around St. Paul: Setting the Record Straight,” Bradley House, Brattleboro, Vermont, October 15, 2018.

 

If you are interested, please contact me!