The Sacred Toast

Welcome to another gathering of the Medusa Society

We honor our namesake in this space and draw strength from her story

Medusa—whose story was told by men in power and perverted for their own interests

Medusa—whose story is re-told to young girls today–portraying her as a cunning seductress of Poseidon and willful defiler of Athena’s temple.  

Medusa—who was actually raped at work by Poseidon, and was a dedicated priestess in Athena’s temple.

Medusa—who instead of gaining justice and solidarity from her sacred goddess of wisdom, Athena, to whom she had dedicated her life, was instead cursed to be a Gorgon by her.

Medusa—who was made ugly with writhing snakes in her hair as punishment for being beautiful.  She was blamed for her own rape.

Medusa—who was a victim of the male gaze, but whose own stare became cursed and deadly.

Medusa—who fled from her home and everyone she knew to keep others safe.

Medusa–who was hunted as sport by Perseus on a quest to prove his manliness, her head brought back as a trophy. Death by toxic masculinity.

Medusa—whose image today is sexualized in the media.

Medusa—who is portrayed as white today though she was Libyan.  Her true racial identity is hidden by modern society.

We gather today in solidarity of the struggle of women who fight for justice.  We gather today to give and take strength from one another

We gather today because we have created this space for ourselves and one another

All: If you can’t find it–make it!