Nurturing Kinship: Lessons of Diversity from Research and the Natural World

As women, we can be familiar with unfairness, injustice, and what it means to function within systems that were made for someone else. Many of us may even have experience with outgrowing roles and ideas that were chosen for us, instead of chosen by us. In her talk, Sarah will weave together research and examples from the natural world to show us that inviting stories of sorrow, despair and discomfort may be the key to unlocking new levels of empathy and compassion.

As women, we have often found ourselves in situations where we feel powerless or oppressed. Whether it be in the workplace, in relationships, or in society as a whole, many of us have experienced unfairness and injustice. It can be frustrating to feel like we are functioning within systems that were not designed with us in mind, and that may even work against us.

Sometimes, we may even find ourselves in roles or situations that were not chosen by us, but instead imposed upon us by others. It can be challenging to break free from these constraints and find a sense of agency and purpose in our lives.

In her talk, Sarah will explore the idea that embracing stories of sorrow, despair, and discomfort may be the key to unlocking new levels of empathy and compassion. She will draw on examples from the natural world to illustrate her point, showing us how even the most challenging and difficult experiences can lead to growth and transformation.

By opening ourselves up to these stories and experiences, we can begin to cultivate a deeper sense of empathy and understanding for ourselves and others. We can learn to see beyond the surface-level differences that divide us, and instead focus on our shared humanity and interconnectedness.

Through this process of self-reflection and growth, we can begin to break free from the limitations and constraints that have been imposed upon us. We can find new levels of agency and purpose in our lives, and begin to make meaningful contributions to the world around us.

So if you find yourself struggling to break free from the roles and ideas that have been chosen for you, remember that there is always hope. By embracing the stories of sorrow and despair that we encounter in our lives, we can begin to unlock new levels of empathy, compassion, and personal growth.