Authenticating Feminine Wisdom

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and historical perspective of religion and healing. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf For more than 2000 years women practiced the healing arts in Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Babylon, and the Near East. Despite their mental prowess, natural sensitivity, and empathy, suddenly they were banned from studying, practicing medicine, or participating in spiritual/religious rituals. In the Middle Ages, the persecution, repression, and condemnation by orthodox institutions of medicine and religion took many forms. During the Industrial Revolution, women again struggled for acceptance and recognition of their talents as nurses, midwives, and physicians within the European and American academic circles. Taking centuries to be accepted, these women eventually formed their own medical colleges, women's and children's hospitals, and even dispensaries. Continually defying the hurdles that establishments of higher learning and religion placed before them, women finally achieved recognition during the Age of Enlightenment - up until the present. While the hurdles have shifted with the times, they are still present. This is the story of one woman's journey, following in the footsteps of her ancestors. Rabba Goldman forged a new path, within her own societal limitations as a healer.