Organizations

2012 — Parliament of the Worlds Religions
The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions was created to cultivate harmony among the world’s religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions in order to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world. Since 1993, a Parliament of the World’s Religions has convened every few years in a major international city (Chicago 1993, Cape Town 1999, Barcelona 2004, Melbourne 2009, Salt Lake City 2015, Toronto 2018 and Chicago 2023). Kathe served as a Trustee for the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions and as co-chair of the Parliament’s Women’s Task Force in 2012. Women of Spirit and Faith was born at the Melbourne Parliament in 2009. They have offered intergenerational workshops at the 2015 Parliament in Salt Lake City and the 2023 Parliament in Chicago, as well as offering a full day sacred circle event for women the day before both of those Parliaments.

November 2007 — Gender and Power at the Edge of the New Frontier
It is time to bring the world back into balance, weaving the feminine principles back into our models for governance and welcoming women into leadership locally and globally. The new paradigm moves us far beyond ‘equality’ to a deep appreciation of feminine values. Kathe facilitated this dialogue which brought men and women together to explore both the challenges and opportunities where gender and power intersect on the path to a new humanity.

January 2008 — Trans-partisan Dialogue for the Women of Southern California
This dialogue was a collaborative project of Gather the Women – Southern California, the Department of Social Studies and the Department of International Studies at the University of California-Irvine. Co-hosted by two political women leaders in the region, one Democrat and one Republican, the event brought together more than 75 women for a day of dialogue to explore the common ground beyond our political differences.

November 2008 — Constellations of Hope: An Invitation to Organizational Collaboration.
Constellations of Hope brought together 60 women representing 40 diverse North American women’s organizations for three days of dialogue, exploring the opportunities and challenges of collaboration across cultural, spiritual and organizational differences. The gathering was co-convened by Kathe Schaaf (Co-founder Gather the Women), Regina Birchem (Past International President – Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom), Dorothy Ettling (Founder of Women’s Global Connection) and Kathy Sanchez (Tewa Women United); scholarship funding was provided by Kalliopeia Foundation.

Launched March 2009 — Women’s Spirit Council
“Women who call upon the Divine using many different names and who represent many diverse spiritual traditions are arising and gathering united by their vision of a better world.”
This initiative was guided by a core circle of women who have histories with several diverse organizations and multiple spiritual traditions. This core is dedicated to:
·  listening deeply to the wisdom and inspiration of many
·  holding the space for the emergence of divine guidance and collective vision
·  self-organizing using feminine principles and practices
·  creating opportunities for inquiry and collaborative conversations locally, regionally, nationally and globally
·  discovering together projects, actions, activities and intentions which will nurture and magnify the spiritual leadership of women and contribute to global transformation
The core circle held the space where we can explore together the many dimensions of the sacred feminine, the healing potential of feminine leadership and new paradigms of collaboration.

Launched February 2002 — Gather the Women Global Matrix
Gather the Women is a worldwide sisterhood that connects women globally and locally through Circles, creating safe and brave spaces to courageously share their true selves. Kathe was one of 12 women who collaborated to co-created GTW in 2002.  Kathe co-convened the first Gather the Women Congress – Weaving a World that Works – in 2003 in San Francisco. Gather the Women Congresses were held in Canada, Australia and Kenya under Kathe’s leadership in 2006-07. Kathe served on the conveners circle of GTW from 2002-2007.

Kathe holds the field of the Great Mother, acting as a divine channel to intuit and map patterns and potentials for the Sacred Feminine to do Her work in the world during these fluid times. Her heart mirrors the devotional essence of Mary Magdalene and seers working for good who have bridged us from ancient through future timelines, incarnating again and again with the desire to serve. She has, at once, her feet sturdily in this dimension – weaving activities, relational “baskets” and containers for collective listening, healing and becoming – while dilating the frequency of love and truth, light codes that are embroidered into our larger field. Her leadership is born of valuing the sacred purpose of everyone at the table, and insisting that we make the evolutionary “leap” of our times together, for the good of the planet. 
— Alison Fast
Artist and Filmmaker

Devoted to the sacred feminine and the lineage of Mary Magdalene, she carries an ancient remembrance in her bones. Hers is a leadership born not of dominance but of deep invitation. She gathers others in circle not to lead from above, but to co-create side-by-side. In her presence power is shared, voices are honored, and hearts are seen. She models a new way: feminine, intuitive, inclusive – where ALL are uplifted.  With curiosity as her compass, she dwells gracefully in the mystery unafraid of not knowing. She holds the question like a sacred flame, inviting others to step into the unknown with her. She does not rush for answers; she knows that truth often arrives softly in silence and stillness. When the call comes, she does not hesitate. She steps forward with courage, even when the path is not clear – because she trusts. She moves in rhythm with the unseen, weaving the guidance she receives into bold, beautiful action. To journey with her, is to walk in beauty and wonder. She is both grounding and celestial, fierce and tender, wise and ever learning. A true visionary – one whose presence lights the path for others to remember who they are. 
— Anne Fitzgerald