In Praise of Matriarchal Environmental Wisdom

Mar 8, 2025 | Dr. Marisa O. Ensor
Georgetown University
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Since 1911, March 8th has been International Women’s Day, observed around the world as a day to recognize women’s contributions to society and work towards gender parity. In the United States (and the United Kingdom and Australia), March is now designated as Women’s History Month. The theme for Women’s History Month in 2025 is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” This theme celebrates the positive influence of women in education, mentorship, and leadership. Globally, in Indigenous, traditional, and local communities, education often reflects a holistic approach to learning that integrates cultural, spiritual, and ecological dimensions. Indigenous women play a vital role in the preservation and transmission of this Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK), including traditional environmental knowledge (TEK) on critical issues like sustainable natural resource management, water governance, food production, healthcare, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Women’s History Month is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate this matriarchal environmental wisdom and its contributions to preserving critical bio-cultural heritage in local communities and beyond.