Thursday, November 25, 2004

St. Catharine and Other Women

Besides being the patroness of philosophers, theologians, and orators, Catharine is a patroness of young women and married women. Historically her legend, which was widely known, has been at times an inspiration to women. One of the saints to whom Joan of Arc appealed was Catharine; and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz has several poems in which Catharine is put forward as a model (and, perhaps more importantly, a justification) for women who are involved in intellectual matters. You can read a lecture that discusses this aspect of Sor Juana's oeuvre here.

As it turns out, I find that today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. You can read more about it at Natalie Bennett's Philobiblion.