Women's Studies 3050

Eco-feminism

Ecofeminism regards the oppression of women and nature as interconnected. More recently, ecofeminist theorists have extended their analyses to consider the interconnections between sexism, the domination of nature (including animals), and also racism and social inequalities.

The term "ecofeminism" was coined by French feminist Francois d'Eaubonne in 1974. Ecofeminism works to end all forms of oppression, whether it be that of genders, races, classes, nature, and the earth. Ecofeminists work to show the interconnections between all of these subjects and how positive relationships will better all of those involved. The reason that the term includes feminists is that the movement uses gender as a starting point for working to end the oppression. Because of the close ties of nature and spirituality, goddess worship and the divine female are often tied to ecofeminism.

Nature, the gentlest mother,
Impatient of no child,
The feeblest or the waywardest,
Her admonition mild

In forest and the hill
By traveller is heard,
Restraining rampant squirrel
Or too impetuous bird.

How fair her conversation,
A summer afternoon,--
Her household, her assembly;
And when the sun goes down

Her voice among the aisles
Incites the timid prayer
Of the minutest cricket,
The most unworthy flower.

When all the children sleep
She turns as long away
As will suffice to light her lamps;
Then, bending from the sky

With infinite affection
And infiniter care,
Her golden finger on her lip,
Wills silence everywhere.
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

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