Lucia Chiavola Birnbaum

Lucia Chiavola Birnbaum, Ph.D.  is a professor of Philosophy and Religion in the Women’s Spirituality program at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS),  in San Francisco.  Dr. Birnbaum took her dissertation in Behaviorist Psychology, a far cry from where her studies take her now.  She has been a political figure since the 60’s and 70’s when she encouraged her students at San Francsico State to oppose the war in Vietnam. Her Berkeley involvement with the civil rights movement was intense and highly visual.  For this she was summarily relieved of her teaching duties.  Lucia challenged education designed to uphold the hegemony of some cultural groups, for which she was slapped on the wrist.  Going in search of her own roots through this temporary crises of spirit, Dr. Birnbaum went to her motherland, Italy.

Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri she caught only a thumbnail glimpse of her culture. She says, “going in search of my own roots  I went to Italy in 1969, where I found five million workers in the streets with the feminist movement whose banners declared c’e’ rivoluzione senza liberazione della donna; non c’e’ liberazione della donna senza rivoluzione (There is no revolution without women’s liberation; there is no women’s liberaion without revolution.)” As an independent scholar after 1969, Dr. Birbaum commenced regular patterns of visits to Italy for research.

She questioned why the Italian feminists were so grounded, spiritually and politically?  She explains in her own words, “The question became a hundred questions when I discovered that the Sicilian birthplaces of my grandmothers,  my grandfathers, and my father were located near archaeological sites of the primordial goddess and sanctuaries of black madonnas, and that these were places of intense beliefs and politics. From these explorations came her book, Liberazione della donna—-Feminism in Italy. Much later, she wrote Black Madonnas; that reveals much of her research throughout Italy and how she uncovers the black madonna that lies in the collective unconscious of the peoples of the Mediterranean, France, Spain and ultimately in different manifestations on every continent.  She talks about how the black madonna is revered by these cultures for miraculous works, supernatural salvation during crises and has been held in the hearts of people who seek justice, balance, nonviolence, equality, peace and harmony for their lives.  She identifies many celebrations in these cultures dedicated to the black madonna and much more.

Lucia is also a highly acclaimed author of other important books. They are;  Dark Mother: origins and godmothers,(2001) which has been translated into Italian by the feminist press, Media Mediterranean as La Madre O-Scura 2004 and by the continuing anthology of womanist-feminist writings in spirituality, She is Everywhere ! whose first volume she gathered in 2005, volume two has been published in January 2009 gathered by Annette Williams, Karen Villanueva;  Black Madonnas: feminism, religion & politics in Italy, African Black Mother of Everyone: African origins and African migration paths in Europe. Her work in progress is the Future has an Ancient Heart: transformational legacy of African migration paths, emphasing Italy, France, and Spain, whose publication is projected for alte 2009.

Dr. Birnbaum now teaches a course entitled–The Future Has an Ancient Heart: transformational legacy of african migrations in Europe, Cases of Italy, France and Spain, at CIIS. One of the most outstanding points of this course is the discussion on geneticists who through DNA have offered evidence that all humans are descendents of a black mother of Africa–Lucy. (named so due the Beetles song that was playing when she was discovered in Africa) Following the lead of Chiekh Anta Diop (noted African historian, linguist and scholar) Dr. Birnbaum offers up Africa as the birthplace of the world. Submitted as a handout in the course is a Cavalli-Sforza (geneticist) map of african migrations throughout the world.  Birnbaum uses ancient texts, obscure writings and contemporary research from African Americans and other world renown scholars that support her controversial theories.

She  has worked for civil rights and the women’s movement since the early 60’s and now travels (with her husband Dr. Wallace Birnbaum–her photographer) when she isn’t teaching to continue her research or receive well earned awards. Lucia has received numerous awards, notably initiation into the international African-American Hall of Fame in 1996, Premio Internazionale di Saggistica 1998 at Salerno, Founding Mother of the Women’s Spirituality Program of CIIS in 2003, certificates of Scholarly Advancement by Chiekh Anta Diop international conference at Philadelphia by the Ankh Institute, capped by the Menaibuc award in 2008: Gran Protectrice des Nations Negres. She has participated in many international conferences notably subsequently published papers in 2005 Luxemberg conference on matriarchies of Heide Gottner Abendroth. The 2008 book, with her chapter, marks the initiation of serious scholarship on the African origins of Europe. Les Africains et leurs descendants en Europe avant le XXe siecle. She was a member of the Gift Economy delegation to the World Social Forum at Nairobi, Africa in 2007.

Dr. Lucia Birnbaum ceaselessly works to research her belief that each of us has a collective unconscious memory of a “dark mother” whose energy represents Love,  justice, peace, harmony and the fearless struggle towards equality that has evaded many cultures since the patriarchal transition that began around 2000 B.C.E.  She continues to research and present findings about Africans as the First People, who impacted all races coming after them, as their ancient ancestors. In her book African Mother, she expresses a firm belief in her research hypothesis. “My hypothesis is that primordial and continuing migrations from Africa, as well as return migrations of ultimately African Semites from West Asia into the region Greeks called Europe, left a cellular and or cultural memory that has persisted in descendants of African migrants everywhere on earth.”

We see now a world writhing with the birth pains of transformation. There seems to be a recognition that among the “subaltern cultures” there has always been an embracing of a dark mother, who was central to their spiritual development.  In her words, “Today the memory of the African Black Mother and her values, seems to be coming into the surface in dominant cultures of the world (this belief has always been present in subaltern cultures).

Dr. Birnbaum embarked upon her studies in ancient culture when she realized that her own country of Italy was an area heavily laden with sanctuaries of the Black Madonna, a region early reached by navigating and migrating Africans from the Atlantic Ocean as well as upriver from the Mediterranean.  The mere suggestion that Africans as early as 50,000 B.C.E.  sailed from their continent to other continents is information hard for some to digest. Considering that this ancient culture not only sailed to European lands, but to the Americas before Lief Erickson or Columbia–is information that shakes the rafters of American education system. (If Ancient Africans sailed, this means that Africans understood navigational maps, could read the heavens and functioned with the sophistication and knowledge of understanding worldwide waterways, tides and the impact of the planets upon the earth)

Birnbaum has continuously found evidence of the presence of signs and after 25,000 B.C.E. of icons of black women divinities–which underscores centuries of African beliefs that cling to Europe. She believes that menhirs and dolmens (large stone edifices) found all over the Mediterranean “may be markers of African migration paths throughout the world. Menhirs are upright stones; dolmens are two vertical menhirs holding up a horizontal menhir–much like the structure of Stonehenge.  These structures, Birnbaum believes were our first religious sanctuaries–created by migrating Africans in the  Sinai 40,000 B.C.E.  “This first religious sanctuary, located in the place Muslims called Har Karkom and Jews and Christians call Mt. Sinai, is the founding place of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.” ……..this is datum supported by Emmanuel Anati, an Italian Archaeologist. Marita Gimbutas, a American Lithuanian archaeologist also recognized the same significance and drew similar conclusions.

The fact that a dark mother has been associated with peace, shelter, safety and security to thousands of people who fled invaders and inquisitors–is determined by the amount of these dark mother figures found on islands and in mountain enclaves where people fled invaders. Archaeological and Anthrolopoligcal finds were preserved both in memory, stone and in artifacts.  This was much longer than cultures more indigenous to the mainlands where aggressive cultures transformed the people through successful invasion. In fact, archaeological evidence by way of  unearthed figures of the dark mother, show that most early ancient culture were peaceful matriarchates–sustained by an ancient belief in the Spiritual Mother.

Dr. Lucia Birnbaum has discovered these dark mother figures and grottoes all over world, from France (Lourdes), to Italy (Sardinia), to Spain resemble those of Zimbabwe and elsewhere on the continent of Africa. Her contention that over the centuries these black madonnas have been systematically whitened by protestant and Catholic clergy makes one understand that there was a deliberate attempt to disconnect people from the African culture which honored the “Dark Mother.”  “Church Fathers by the 5th Century C.E., had destroyed or lightened most icons of the African Black Mother, but most  people in subaltern cultures of Europe persisted in painting her black.”

Lucia’s belief that Europe holds unconsciously the memory of an African dark Mother is supported by the hundreds she has located all over the world. Her books contain many photographs attesting to her discoveries. She follows in the footsteps of J.A. Rogers (African-American writer and researcher) who upon visiting Europe in the 20’s, identified Black Madonnas and dark women divinities everywhere–especially in France, Italy and  Spain. This is “palpable evidence” not included in contemporary education, proving that it was submerged in an attempt to undermine evidence of ancient African cultural. Those who fought to honor it and keep it alive were tortured, burned, killed or maimed because it went against the rising tide of aggressive patriarchal systemic political reorganization. The practice of omission, was mandated religious and political organizations throughout the middle ages in Europe and other locations around the known world. This push realized the total omission of ancient African history, prior to the aggressive and bloody Indo-European invasions of the African matriarchal culture, that ran counter to establishing the patriarchal mindset.  It was necessary to wipe out the psychology of an egalitarian society in favor of higherarchal and dominating culture tenets, designed to degrade women’s position in cultural development.  Thus, the cultures centered in the characteristics of the dark mother, were replaced with those of the Father–which have served us for the last 2000 years.  In 2000 years, the world has gone from a peaceful coexistence, to war, death and destruction, poverty, greed, inequality of goods and services, abuse and acts of inhumanity that challenges the coldest heart not to cringe.

Dr. Birnbaum’s works prove that the French Revolution and The People’s ongoing fight for civil and women’s rights all over the world– have kept the dark mother close in their hearts for centuries as they sought transformation and change.  Birnbaum has gone forward in her research and teachings to return the knowledge to the world, once hidden, that African cultural beliefs were held dear in Europe as in Africa,  and gave people hope for a better world– until after the bloody transition to patriarchate cultures. This hope has been for a return to “Liberte, Egalite and Fraternite with a life style that respects the earth and all its creatures.”  Her work  seeks to identify the story untold and covered up or stolen from us— which relates the foregoing qualities as having been birthed by the ancient African people–our first ancestors and gift to the world. Her work underscores the need to recognize from where we have come, holding the female energy sacred and foundational to our call for world transformation.

Dr. Wangari Receives Nobel Peace Prize 2004

She was told at first that people without diplomas can not plant trees. At this she laughed and kept organizing women of Africa to plant trees to save the lives of their children’s children. Many people don’t understand that without TREES, we will eventually run out of oxygen and not be able to breathe.  They are necessary to our survival.
The people of Kenya had been cutting trees for fuel. This had been going on for years and was devastating the land.

The land was being eroded and destroyed when it rained.   It devastated the terrain causing flooding and with great loss of the ancient forests of Kenya, which have helped the people survive since the beginning of time. At great risk to her own life, Wangari was determined to re -plant trees for her environment. Upon threats to her life and bodily harm from organized government interventionists,  she continued to organize the women who continued to plant the trees and work together to ensure that the land they depended upon would be saved. She and the women came under attack by the government of  Kenya. The government  didn’t want to lose control of the people.  It seems that ignorance and dependence upon the government was the psychology used by the leaders [at the time] to maintain order and submission.

Wangari was often asked, ” Aren’t you afraid that you will disappear or be arrested for what you are doing?”   Maathai says that she didn’t own that,  so she went on looking forward to the work she knew she had to do.  The movement was named  “The Green Belt Movement.”  Harm did eventually come to Wangari during her successful movement.  She was beaten by insurrectionists paid by the government to stop her. It was so severe that she was hospitalized.  Still she continued.  Private groups were paid to deter the women she organized, from continuing on with their job of saving the ancient forest lands. These women worked with Wangara in spite of the dangers to themselves and their families. They were educated to the fact that they needed to take action among themselves, for themselves if there was going to be a home for their children’s children in the future.  The land erosion was destroying their world as they knew it.

Organizing the women accomplished what she set out to do.  We have one planet and without it where are we going to live.  Once it is destroyed by us, what jump off point is next. Exactly!! There is none. So, Wangari understood that we have to do it ourselves, NOW.  The controlling government of Kenya was not a deterrence.  She worked on organizing the women to plant trees to save the environment.  To date, it is estimated that by 1977, Wangari’s  “Green Belt Movement” had planted over 13 million trees.

View the illustrious work and challenges by Dr. Wangari on the video clip here.

Now Deputy Minister of Environment, [elected to this office] she has received recognition by the people for the important work she has done. ” Without the land we don’t survive “–was her battle cry when she endured the threats and physical violence her movement brought into her life. But she realized that if not her, than who would help Kenya realize the threat to their healthful environment;  an ingredient necessary for a sustainable future.  Dr. Wangari Maathai is a walking example of transformational change and leadership.
Born in 1940 in Nyeri Kenya, [Africa] Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai was the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree.  After completing the regular education allotted to women in Kenya, she was selected to go to the U.S. to pursue a college education.
She obtained a degree in Biological Sciences from Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas (1964).  Subsequently, Maathai earned a Master of Science from the University of Pittsburgh (1966). She returned home and pursued doctoral studies in Germany and the University of Nairobi–earning her PhD in 1971.
Dr. Maathai began a teaching career at the University of Nairobi after earning her doctorate.  She became Chair of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and an Associate Professor in 1976 and 1977 respectively.  In both instances, she was the first woman to attain those positions in the region. Wangari became active in the National Council of Women of Kenya in 1976-1987 and was also the Chair of this women’s organization in 1981-1987.  While its Chair, she introduced the idea of planting trees in 1976 and it took hold within the culture of  the women.
Since Ancient times, African Women’s Organizations have been instrumental in forming grassroots movements that addressed the survival of their people.  This grassroots movement started by Dr. Maathai is only one example of the type of work African women have done down through the centuries, in spite of intervention,  threats to their lives and lives loss–for the survival of their families.
In 1986, the movement started by Dr. Maathai was named Pan African Green  Belt Network and exposed other African countries to the approach. Similar tree planting initiatives have been started all over Africa–Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and others.  Dr. Maathai’s hue and cry was “SAVE THE LAND, HARAMBEE.”  In September 1998, she launched a campaign entitled the Jubilee 2000 Coalition. Constantly embarking upon new challenges, she plays a leading role in a campaign to save the physical land of Africa for its people.
Minister Maathai has embarked upon an African Campaign that seeks cancellation of the unpayable backlog of debts of the poor countries of Africa. Her campaign is against land grabbing and rapacious allocation of forests land has caught the limelight of the world. Interestingly, the debts owed by poor African countries might more earnestly be voided  if a tally was taken on those who have robbed her over the centuries–of her gold, jewels, precious and semi-precious stones and metals–who returned to steal her land and natural resources– and now strangle hold African minds and bodies. That tally would surely wipe out all national and international debt. Wangari Maathai is internationally recognized for her persistent struggle for democracy, human rights and environmental resources.

She continues to fight for the rights of women tirelessly.  Maathai tirelessly speaks on this issue in special sessions with the General Assembly always in hope of making a difference.  What is interesting though is that African women do have power on a grassroots level where they affect the lives of their people –once they are organized.  This is traditional organizing that may only affect the community in which the women live, but this type of powerful movement often occurs and it defines the strength of women’s organizations throughout Africa– existing for centuries. Women of Color in the U.S.  need to take a seat at their feet to learn.
Professor Maathai and the Green Belt Movement have received numerous awards:  2004 Peace Prize, The Sophia Prize-2004, The Petra Kelly Prize for Environment 2004, The Conservation Award–2003, Outstanding Vision and  Commitment Award -2002; WANGO Environment Award 2003, Outstanding Vision and Commitment Award 2002, Excellence Award from the Kenyan  Community Abroad 2001, Gold Ark Award 1994, Juliet Hollister Award 2001.

Wangari Maathai has personally been awarded the Jane Adams Leadership Award 1993, Edinburgh Medal 1993, The Hunger Project’s Africa  Prize for Leadership 1991, Windstar Award for the Environment 1988, Better World Society Award 1986, and many others.  She has received honorary doctoral degrees from institutions world-wide.

Most recently however, Dr. Wangari Maathai was honored by the NAACP Image Awards, this February 2009.  She was being recognized for her continued work with the Green Belt Movement and for encouraging Women’s education in Environmental and Biolgical Sciences.  Professor Maathai feels strongly that more women should be given more opportunity to be educated in her country.

Above is the URL address of a short documentary film that I hope you will visit to learn more about her life and continued work. Wangari Maathai has written her memoirs entiled;  Unbowed: a memoir–published by William Heinermann, London 2007.
This article features information accumulated by the autobiography/biography written at the time of her award and later published in the book series; Les Prix Nobel/Nobel Lectures.  The information is sometimes updated with an addendum submitted by the Laureate.