WCSS Conference 2023

In Wisconsin, secondary social studies teachers are required to teach about rich and diversified world religions content yet are often given very few school district-provided resources to do so, with the exception of a textbook. Unfortunately, social studies textbooks typically relay the “White Social Studies” narrative of religion as a “white” cultural sphere and place men as the central agents of religious historical change. As educators, we pondered how to interrupt these racist, male-centric patterns and created the “Pillars of Strength: Ancient Religious Mothers'' Online Art Gallery Resource as a solution for teachers and students to learn more about religious women leaders. In this session, participants will learn about and engage with the “Ancient Religious Mothers” Online Art Gallery as an ethnically-accurate, professionally researched digital image collection portraying the ancient mothers of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Participants are encouraged to bring their own electronic devices to this session.