ALisa Starkweather's Page

What issues are most important to you?

This is a big question because I care about so much. All things of this earth, all things sacred, all things that are in the dark shadows of our psyche that need our love and compassion, all things that help humanity live from our hearts. Most definitely my life's passion is the empowerment of women which includes our respect, honor, and leadership from principles that are just, kind and respectful to all life. At this time I am birthing two new dream visions, Building the Sisterhood Bridge where we consciously build our networks with the awareness of how much racism and classism has hurt us all and the Red Tent Temple Movement that can bring a simple infrastructure into place in our communities of women. Women that are working with me are in the initial stages of building a network called either the Women's Love Army, Women Rise Up or Daughters of the Earth Alliance. Want to join?

What kind of social activism do you engage in?

See above. And more. I've been a women's empowerment leader and facilitator for 23 years of my young life. I think those who care of our future need to engage in activism to bring forward our visions and be the voices of truth to power.

What organizations do you love or work with?

To be truthful, I am so engaged with the projects that I founded that I have little time for else. They are Priestess Path Apprenticeship, the Women's Belly and Womb Conference, Daughters of the Earth Gatherings, Women in Power initiations and the Red Tent Temple Movement. Now also Building the Sisterhood Bridge. I have my eye on Gather the Women International, Constellations of Hope gatherings, the Omega Women's Institute, the Global Goddess, Womongathering, the Goddess Conferences, Eve Ensler's work and more.

What books, music, films, etc. do you think educate and empower women?

Oh my. I have a library so if you want to know more, ask. For now a few of my favorites are Women Who Run with the Wolves, The Vagina Monologues, Marija Gimbuta's work, The Heroine's Journey, Truth or Dare by Starhawk, Marianne Williamson's, A Women's Worth, any of Christiane Northrup's books. DVD's: Women's Power in Global Perspective by Max Dashu, From Girl to Woman (a wonderful gift too for young women about to bleed) by Hemitra Crecraft, Roberta Cantow's trilogy, Bloodtime, Moontime, Dreamtime; Women Bringing Forth Change. Music: (Oh so much there too and another library) My dear friend Shawna Carol's Goddess Chant, Kellianna's music, I actually have three CD's of chants for women's circles too.

Career: what do you do or want to do?

See above. I love my work with women. In that here is what happens; Shadow Work, breathwork, ceremony, healing, singing, dancing, skill building, community building, communication, council, circles, connection with the earth and each other, initiation, cultural change, transformation, .....(www.alisastarkweather.com, www.womeninpowerprogram.com)

What skills and interests to do you have to offer to others in the Red Tent Women's Project communty? This is your chance, so sell yourself!

Well, selling myself is not necessary because we are already moving with great love and dedication together as women. I have spoken what is moving. What I can offer here is the vision of the Red Tent Temple Movement that is growing among us. I have teleconferences once a month. It is a grassroots movement and is taking place presently in 17 states and three countries (growing). It is very simple to do and we invite you to join us. I am here to be a resource, to support us, and to connect.

What would you like other members of this community to know? About yourself, about the world...anything (try not to be profane, though)!

This is our time women. No matter what challenges are before us, it is time to be strong. We will witness such changes and in this our love and leadership will be needed. Weave. Whererver we are, it is time to weave together to catch this world when the systems fall and they are indeed failing. In that, remember, this our time. Women rise, women rise, women rise.

What was your "women really matter and I'm going to do something about it" moment?

When I was really young (my twenties) I had brought forward a vision that was called the Ancient Dance Between Men and Women. In a real way I was pioneering gender work in the early eighties and what I found was that women really needed help. (We've come a long ways). Women were not able to speak up to men, to be truthful or to know their worth. In this work I decided to dedicate my life to the empowerment of women with the help of a mentor, Sandra Boston, who was twenty years older than I. I have never looked back since. They say really that the students shape the teacher. Women have rocked my world with their beauty, commitment and love.