Karryn Olson-Ramanujan: A Pattern Language for Women in Permaculture

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Show Notes

In this episode from 2014, one of my favorite people from the permaculture community, Karryn Olson-Ramanujan, joins us to share a pattern language she’s identified for women in permaculture, which we can use to create a constructive permaculture movement so that together we can design a world with ever greater beauty, abundance, and inclusivity.

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The starting point for this conversation is Karryn’s article, which forms the title for this episode, “A Pattern Language for Women in Permaculture.” In this powerful piece Karryn outlines the patterns and provides solutions to create an environment for women’s full participation and leadership in the permaculture community, and be recognized as the permaculture superstars they are.

The eight patterns, some of which we discuss together, are:

  1. Shift our “Mental Models”
  2. Understand and Advocate for the “30% Solution” as a Vital Step Toward Parity
  3. Value Diversity
  4. Intersecting Identities
  5. Mentoring is Key to Building Women’s Leadership
  6. Value Archetypically Feminine Ways of Leading
  7. Nurture Women’s Leadership Through Women’s Gatherings
  8. Be an Ally

In addition to this pattern language, during her research Karryn found many women struggle to earn a living with their good work. To support these entrepreneurs, she offers three different courses: Pathfinders, Sweet Spots, and Abundance Models to help women design their regenerative right livelihood. Enrollment for the next Pathfinders course starts in late February 2020. If you are interested in this, or any of her other courses, you’ll find those hosted within the Regenepreneurs Network, which you can also join as a general member. Learn more at Regenepreneurs.com.

You will also find more of Karryn’s writing on Medium, where she writes as @Regenepreneurs.


References and resources from this episode:
Regenepreneurs
Earth Activist Trainings
Gender Schema Tutorials
Jeanine Carlson-Nelson
Karen Stupski
Microaffirmations
Timebanking
Margaret Wheatley
Pandora Thomas
Privilege and Allyship (Links to a PDF)
Starhawk
WPLI – Women’s Permaculture Leadership Initiative
Women Lead the Way by Linda Tarr-Whelan
Profiles of Women in Permaculture

Women Working with Permaculture in South Africa
Alex Kruger and Berg-en-Dal Ecovillage
Jeunesee Park Park at Food and Trees for Africa

Several other awesome women were also profiled in Karryn’s article.