International Women's Day Observed in Germany

The speaker, Christine Sato, member of the board of the Women’s Federation in Germany, came from Giessen, bringing several books that had served as references during her preparation for tge presentation. People in Stuttgart have good memories of Mrs. Sato from her previous presentations on topics such as “The Dignity of Women” and from book review sessions and are always ready to welcome her as a speaker.

To start off, the guests were invited to enjoy drinks and a rich assortment of bakeries.

Then followed Mrs. Sato’s presentation, accompanied by a visual background of several important quotations relevant to the topic. Based on the situation of contemporary women, which in some countries is relatively advanced and in others still deplorable, the audience learned something about the original role of women in the Neolithic Age. New research shows that this age was a time of a society centered on partnership and motherhood. Women were respected representatives of Mother Earth, and peace and wellbeing reigned. Daughters remained in the family and the inheritance passed to the youngest daughter. One can only hazard a guess as to why later society developed into a male-dominated patriarchy. Did climate change lead to the development of nomadic groups and several waves of invasions? War gods suppressed the picture of feminine creativity. Mrs. Sato chronicled how women were considered inferior and evil by the Greeks, Romans and the early Christians, influenced by Hellenism. Women were subordinated. Eventually the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain led to deprivation for women, who lost the possibility to earn a living by farming and had to work very hard for poor pay. Even 19^th century science contributed to strengthen the inferiority of women.

The “liberation” of women began in the USA with the struggle for human rights and the emancipation of slaves. In Europe in the 20^th century, three waves of the women’s movement can be identified. Mrs. Sato drew attention to the role of women in Communism and National Socialism. She closed her presentation with the situation of women today and with a vision for the future, the metamorphosis to a cooperative system without war or exploitation of the environment.

There followed an opportunity for questions and for additional contributions. An expression of gratitude to Mrs. Sato and a lively discussion rounded off this interesting event.