Kathe Schaaf has been bringing leadership to a unique series of conversations at the intersection of women’s wisdom and feminine spirituality for more than two decades.
She is one of the co-founders of Women of Spirit and Faith, an intergenerational and inter-spiritual community of women dedicated to restoring the healing medicine of the Sacred Feminine to transform this hurting world. Guided by a core leadership circle ranging in age from 22-87, WSF seeks to nurture, celebrate and broadcast the spiritual wisdom of women.
She has also been involved in birthing and co-leading the following initiatives:
• Gather the Women (2002 -2007)
• Trans-partisan Dialogues for the Women of Southern California (2008)
• Gender and Power at the Edge of the New Frontier (2008)
• At the Intersection of Sovereign and Sacred: Feminine Spirituality and Authentic Leadership (2008)
• Constellations of Hope: An Invitation to Organizational Collaboration (2008)
• Women’s Spirit Council (2009)
• Women of Spirit and Faith (2010- present)
Her work has taken her to the Parliament of the Worlds Religions, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and around the world to sit in circle with the women of East Africa, Istanbul, India, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. She has anchored sacred pilgrimages exploring the deep hidden history of feminine spiritual leadership on this planet. She is especially drawn to exploring the mysteries surrounding Mary Magdalene and the Black Madonnas that can be found all over the world.
Kathe is committed not only to affirming the value of what women contribute to our world but also can testify to the importance of incorporating the ‘feminine’ principles of deep listening, compassion, shared leadership and circle practice to counteract the toxic patterns of the hierarchical leadership model that patriarchy has employed for thousands of years.
She is co-editor of Women, Spirituality and Transformational Leadership: Where Grace Meets Power, published in 2012, and has authored numerous articles on women and spirituality. She is also an artist who has created over 50 mixed media images of the Sacred Feminine.
Education
B.S. University of Wisconsin – Madison (1974) Secondary Education/ English
M.A. Antioch University – Los Angeles (1992) Clinical Psychology
Professional Experience
Secondary Teacher – English, Drama – Edgerton High School, Wisconsin (1974-1979)
Executive Director – Positive Youth Development – Madison, Wisconsin (1980-1986)
Field Director – California Special Olympics Santa Monica, California (1988 – 1989)
Marriage and Family Therapist – Private practice (1990 – 2005)
Co-Founder/ Leadership Core – Gather the Women (2002 – 2007)
Trustee – Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions (2012 –2013)
Co-Chair – Women’s Task Force at the Parliament of the World’s Religions ( 2012 – 2013)
Co-Founder/ Leadership Circle – Women of Spirit and Faith (2010 – present)
Consultant – Organizational and Leadership Development (1985 – present)
Publications
Now That You’ve Begun: A Guide to Keeping Your Community Group Going, Wisconsin Positive Youth Development Initiative, Inc. (1984)
Intergenerational Programs: A Resource for Community Renewal, Wisconsin Positive Youth Development Initiative, Inc. (1985)
The Status of Wisconsin’s Children: Recent Trends in Resources and Child Well-Being, Consulting Editor; Wisconsin Bureau of Children, Youth and Families (1987)
Preparing Your Community: A Guide to Community Action Planning With Teresa Hogue; Oregon Community Children and Youth Services Commission
Youth Participation in the Juvenile Justice System and Beyond: A Reality Check; Future Choices; Youth Policy Institute (1991)
Contributing Writer: Spheres (2005-2007)
Women, Spirituality and Transformative Leadership: Where Grace Meets Power. SkyLight Paths. October 2011– Co-Editor and contributing author
Contributing Writer – The Interfaith Observer (2012-2019)