As I read the volumes of information circulating regarding the upheaval of Roe vs. Wade as well as the equally horrifying wave of efforts to eliminate access to contraception, I have come across a provoking question. This article in particular posed this question. What is a woman’s role in the world?

When I decided to write about this question I had a million ideas about what to say, but as I actually attempt to put it all together I realize that it is a daunting question. Where does one begin? I guess, at the beginning.

As far back as 2500 BCE Ku-baba ruled the Mesopotamian City-State of Ur and she appears to be the first recorded female ruler. It is believed that there have always been female rulers including Egyptian queens (dating back to 3000 BCE) as well as female religious leaders who, incidentally kept eunuchs as willing hand servants. Early religions (BC) were based on the belief in a feminine creator of some sort and included the idea of a birth and death cycle. Before Christianity and subsequently Islam, women represented these different aspects of life. Not only as the great giver of life, but also as the ultimate taker of life. These goddesses were not sweet, maternal, nubile creatures and many were believed to be fierce, vengeful smiters of injustice as well as benevolent grantors of death.

Women still had families and gave birth to children. They did these things willingly. In some cultures these women were the mothers to several children from different men. They had the choice to do so. In these cultures the role of the woman was to (in no specific order) give birth if they chose to, lead if necessary, administer to the sick or dying, deliver children, help with hunting and harvesting, and go to war. Our role was to be a community member.

With the development of Christianity and the patriarchy in the western world, women were denigrated to a place of subservience and slavery. Men used religion and brawn to change the tide. We were ushered into the slots they assigned. The maiden, the mother, and the crone. Oh, and let’s not forget the whore. Only the wealthy were educated. And that education was mostly limited to basic reading, writing and numbers. But a grand emphasis was placed on spinning, weaving, needlepoint and stitching. If any girl yearned for more, she would have to be crafty. Ultimately, emphasis was placed on smiling coyly, and quietly. It was important to excel in the “fairer arts” so that these women would be attractive as possible brides to be used as barter for land and livestock. It is important to understand that this trade took place as soon as possible, once a girl was of child-bearing age. This could be 12 years old. After she was married, any woman/girl (rich or poor) was worth her weight in gold if she could deliver male children. If she were a queen she would be delivering to her husband and subjects, a possible heir to the throne. If she were not royalty, she would be delivering an additional worker to the family. Girl children were viewed as a liability if they were born to the common folk.

The choice to give birth and with whom was taken from us. Our ability to rule was removed. Our role as health care provider was condemned as heresy and thus ripped from us. All of these things were taken from us in the name of religion. A patriarchal religion, which decided that women were incapable of anything, really. We could still deliver children, but I think that is because men didn’t want to do it nor could they figure out how. Ultimately, our role in these times was one of currency and as subsequent bearer of children. Boys only, please!

And has our role changed? Are we viewed differently now? In some developed nations, possibly. In other developed areas of the world, not so much.

This story is not over. More to follow.