Did you know that many Native American tribes of the past essentially worshipped the wisdom of their older women? (Remember Grandmother Willow in Disney’s Pocahontas?) A Native American wise woman held positions of immense authority. She was not simply a sweet old lady dispensing advice. She was a woman of influence and action. She was vital to the tribe’s continued existence. She was a teacher. She counseled her people to listen to intuition and recognize divine direction. In many Native American tribes, these elder women sat on the highest councils. A critical decision, such as the decision to go to war, was left to these women. Because these women knew the sacrifice of giving birth, the tribe believed they would not make an impulsive choice to risk the lives of their people unless it was critical to the tribe’s survival. One Native American Indian prophecy states, "When the grandmothers speak the earth will be healed."

How much better would our communities be if we all sought and followed the counsel and advice of the mothers, grandmothers, and other elder women in our lives? We are missing out on their years of experience. Think of the collective wisdom of the experienced women on this earth. If the youth, if young parents, if governments and kings would humbly listen to and abide by the instruction of wise experienced women, true and lasting healing would finally take place on this earth.

The most beautiful part is that mothers, grandmothers and other experienced women don’t resent imparting their wisdom. They don’t have to force themselves to offer help.

It is who they are.

Victor Hugo is said to have written, “She broke the bread into two fragments and gave them to her children, who ate with eagerness. ‘She hath kept none for herself,’ grumbled the sergeant.

“‘Because she is not hungry,’ said a soldier.

“‘No,’ said the sergeant, ‘because she is a mother.’”