shedding light on the lives of influential Australian women
Renowned anthropologist, Barbara Myerhoff, observed that everyone has a story and that these stories “told to oneself and others can transform the world.” A personal story can provide an opening to understand not only one person’s life, but larger truths about the human experience.
How to Waltz with A Matilda
There is no set way to Waltz with a Matilda. The main object is to redress the Matilda Effect and bring the achievements of diverse Australian women out of the shadows. Christina Macpherson’s story is just one example of a woman whose contribution to the iconic Australian ballad, Waltzing Matilda, was relegated to the shadows. It was Banjo Patterson who got to be immortalised and bask in the associated glory.
The Matilda effect is a bias against acknowledging the achievements of women scientists whose work is attributed to their male colleagues. This phenomenon was first described by suffragist and abolitionist Matilda Joslyn Gage in her essay, “Woman as Inventor”.
In her book ‘Daughters of Melbourne – A Guide to the Invisible Statues of Melbourne’ Alison Coote redresses the disturbing gender imbalance in Melbourne’s statues. Of the 580 permanent statues in Melbourne, about 4 per cent are women. Coote identifies and celebrates all those women who could/should have been immortalised.
Tarot and Oracle cards provide yet another way to Waltz with a Matilda and celebrate women’s stories. Tarot cards speak of human life experience. Each Tarot card has stories to tell and each card tells a story about aspects of our lives.
Tarot contains 78 Muses or mentors depending on your need. The pictures depicted on the cards are totally open to one’s personal interpretation and rarely do two people see the same thing. Tarot cards may help to explain a situation, describe a person and offer perspectives about the innovative ways in which others have triumphed after facing, for example, Tower moments.
I have chosen to Waltz with a Matilda by matching cards with prominent Australian women, who have contributed to Australian culture. The cards chosen for these women are, of course, only be appropriate in one moment in time. The choices are subjective and open for debate. The point is that the reader may well differ, dispute the connection being made and, not only offer meaningful alternatives, but suggest that other cards better represent a woman’s dominant personae. Whatever! By engaging the stories gain the oxygen they deserve!
How would you Waltz with a Matilda?
The phenomenon is named after the American suffragette, activist and sociologist Matilda Joslyn Gage. In 1870, she wrote a pamphlet entitled Woman as Inventor , condemning the then-widespread idea that women lacked inventive drive and scientific talent.
You do not have to be Australian or profile an Australian woman to engage with this project. You are simply provided with an opportunity to redress the Matilda Effect by bringing the women’s stories out of the shadows.
If you decide to engage I will link and or feature your profiles on this site.
How will you fight the Matilda Effect and cast a spotlight on a woman? Will you take the opportunity to devise your own dance and be featured here?
Waltzing With Matilda's 