Wise Women, Witches, Midwives, & Nurses: Women Healers Throughout History

Students ages 12-16 y/o will meet one time for this interactive social studies discussion class. Together we will take a deep historical dive into the origin of the word ‘Witch’ and how it has historically been combined and associated with medicine, healing, and childbirth. We will discover how this word was used to describe the women who were the earliest healers and medicine women in some cultures, in an effort to remove their credibility and scare their associations.

We will follow the journey of the female witch archetype from a once-harolded healer to a feared, mysterious villain all the way to her legitimization as a modern healer and nurse. How did women go from being villains and targets to caregivers? Or were they always caregivers and vilified for other reasons? 

Your student will enjoy exploring history to uncover the evolving role of the Witch, the Midwife, and the Nurse. 

This particular topic has been mulled over in feminist and sociology circles since the 1950s and 60’, historical records indicate an actual campaign to destroy the credibility of the female caregivers during the incorporation of ‘western’ Modern medicine in Europe. Find out what really happened and who the witches of our past really were.
 
This is an interactive discussion class, and I encourage active participation, questions, and comments. I want your student to think critically and objectively about these circumstances. We can compare and contrast them to modern-day issues within society. Students will identify historical clues and turning points in a society where the Witch revolved in this order: acceptance, fear, dependence, acceptance. 

I always encourage free thought and expression for everyone in the classroom. 

My teaching style is fun and interactive, using multi-media slides, video, and artist depictions to enhance the learning experiences. There is no required experience or knowledge necessary. I am a retired nurse and, I have extensive research hours invested in world religions, female history & sociology, feminine studies, and the European and American Witch Trials. I have also researched the Pagan Religions and can speak to their holidays and customs. I do charge a bit more for this class as it is a specialty subject that speaks to past and current society, the successful attempt to make villains out of a specific aspect of society or of the female in general. 

Class style: This class is lecture style and content heavy. This means that your child is not required to ask questions ( but can at anytime), read passages, or even have their camera on( Except for the initial verification).  I do not coerce participation; they can choose to participate as much or as little as they desire. If you are looking for a class with tons of games and group activities, this isn't the class for you. 

This is a fun historical class that demonstrates how far females have come and what perseverance looks like over centuries.

I look forward to meeting your student in the class. ~ Teacher Phyllis