Anthroposophy Needs Diversity

"Nature makes human beings merely natural creatures; society makes them law-abiding actors; but only they can make themselves into free beings"~Rudolf Steiner, Intuitive Thinking as a Spiritual Path: A Philosophy of Freedom

Anthroposophy has its origins in Europe in the early 1900s- and, since then, has inspired and touched people all over the world. Over a century later, what are the questions we need to be asking to understand how anthroposphy meets the world today? Specifically, how does anthroposophy meet the cultural landscape and soul of North America? Inclusion, multiculturalism, and the strength of many voices will help to renew anthroposophy and ensure its longevity into the future. How do we host important conversations with others and explore these questions for ourselves? 

Four steadfast individuals came together to open up an important and courageous conversation. Hear from each of their stories in a pre-recorded, one- hour session before you join us live for an interactive conversation the evening of April 26 at 4pm Pacific, 7pm Eastern. 

We invite you to add your voice to this program by collecting your questions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of anthroposophy. See below for those questions, and answer them in the registration process!

What:
A 90 minute live event via Zoom on April 26 at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern
AND a pre-recorded 60 minute session to watch and digest before April 26 

Live event will be recorded and emailed to all participants

Contribution:

• Suggested: $25
• Supporter: $40 
• Pay What you Can: $0- $10 

When you register- we'd love to hear your response to these questions to help inform our live event!

• What is your biggest question regarding race and diversity in Steiner's work and in the anthroposophical movement?
• How long have you been working with anthroposophy?
• Do you work in an anthroposophical field? If so, what is your line of work?
• Have you encountered questions of race and Steiner in your personal or work environments?

Register Now

Meet our Presenters:
Cory Eichman began his Biodynamic farming career in 1992.  He's been managing the Saugeen River CSA in Ontario, Canada since 1997.  He started teaching courses on Biodynamics in 2005, eventually offering several years in a row "The Individuality of the Farm," and "Digging Deeper: Cosmic and Earthly Evolution for Farmers" courses on-line through the BDA.  He joined the BDA's social justice committee in 2020 and offered an on-line course, "Questions of Diversity and Race in Rudolf Steiner's Spiritual Science" for the Council of Anthroposophical Organizations.  As these questions continue to evolve in the Anthroposophical movement, courses and conversations are ongoing.
 

Jayme Oates grew up in south Alabama on Mobile Bay. She attended the University of South Alabama where she earned a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She attended Auburn University, where she completed her Masters Degree in Horticulture in 2004. After graduating she began assisting farmers in Chambers County, designing organic field and winter greenhouse operations. In 2006 she moved to Notasulga, Alabama, and started Mahone Creek Farm, where she first began implementing biodynamics through her work with beekeeping and animal husbandry.  In 2008, while farming, she started working with Alabama Water Watch, training Alabama Citizens to monitor the water quality of their local lakes and streams. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Water Watch Association since 2008. In 2010, through a contract with Heifer International, Jayme was hired by Global Water Watch to work with Heifer International animal recipients to use farming practices to improve their crop yields while improving soil health and protecting water quality. She worked with farmers in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ecuador, and the United States. In 2012, after Jayme gave birth to her son, Owen, she decided to form Farmscape Solutions, a not-for-profit organization catering to farmers and gardeners in the southeast United States. This led her to focus on working with farmers in the Black Belt and Wiregrass regions of Alabama. Partnering with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), she co-founded the Alabama Beginning Farmer Program in 2015. She serves on the Advisory board for Operation Grow, the Alabama Veteran Farmer Program also founded by ACES. Her current interests lay with the development of an Alabama Teaching Farm and Garden Network.  She recently accepted the position of Education Coordinator with Legacy, Partners in Environmental Education, and leads Educator Expeditions across Alabama for Alabama Educators to immerse in place-based education and outdoor “classrooms”, to gain understanding of our natural world and empathy for the life forces that permeate existence.
 

Lynn Turner (she/her) is a native Washingtonian, wife, and mother of two children and the proud descendant of enslaved people. She has been a culturally responsive early childhood educator, teacher trainer and leader in the movement of Waldorf Education in Northern America for over twelve years. Lynn currently serves as the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America’s (WECAN) Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access. She is also the Early Childhood Teacher Training Coordinator and Core Faculty Member at Great Lakes Waldorf Institute. Lynn holds a BA in Fine Arts from Sweet Briar College, an MAT in Early Childhood Education from Washington Trinity University and received her Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching Certificate in 2017. Lynn has been published in Gateways Magazine and has been a workshop presenter, keynote speaker facilitator and keynote speaker in the 2021, 2021 and 2022 Waldorf Early Childhood Education Association of Northern America Teacher Conferences.
 

Leslie Wetzonis Woolverton is currently a WECAN I.D.E.A Coordinator and member of the WECAN Early Childhood Research Group.  She is also a Core Faculty member for Sound Circle Center for Arts & Anthroposophy.  Leslie has collectively taught Waldorf Parent/Child classes & Nursery classes and a parent for over twenty years in Silver Spring, MD. Leslie is also a textile artist and writes/compiles early childhood stories for inclusion, diversity, equity, and access which reflects the world. Leslie is a third generation Anthroposophist.
 

"Those who judge human beings according to the generic characteristics stop before the boundary beyond which people begin to be beings whose activity is based on free self-determination."
~Rudolf Steiner, Intuitive Thinking as a Spiritual Path: A Philosophy of Freedom