Witch Hunts: Persecuting the Marginalized

A Steinem Sisters Collection Talking Circle

Witch hunts have never been about facts or evidence, but about fear of the unknown. Let's discuss the ways women were and are targeted for not fitting into society's ideals of womanhood.

Throughout American history, 78% of those accused of witchcraft were women.  These women often existed outside the realm of "normal" women- they were independently wealthy; were healers; were unmarried; were not white; or held positions with some power.  The women's movement of the 1970s identified with these "witches"- wanting to exist outside the roles society had assigned.  These women revered the idea of the wise woman, the outcast, the witch.  Today, we still have witch hunts and while they typically don't end in drowning or hangings- they still target women who exist outside of society's ideals of womanhood.  During this Talking Circle, we'll discuss the ways women were and are targeted for not fitting into society's ideals of womanhood.

The Steinem Sisters Collection champions women’s historical, cultural, and political contributions and strives to provide a welcoming space for women from all walks of life to share their truths. It is composed of “feminist materials,” intersectional works that uphold human and women’s rights and interests in defining and promoting political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes, races, classes, sexual orientations, and genders. The Steinem Sisters Collection has grown to over 900 titles in the ten years since its inception. Regular programming, including book discussion groups and talking circles, aims to highlight the collection and build community. This collection was possible due to a generous donation by The Steinem’s Sisters Collective.