The Power of Women’s Communities – A Look at Ancient Womanhood

Mar 6

What If We Were Never Meant to Do It Alone?

Imagine waking up each day surrounded by women who support you, not just emotionally but in the everyday tasks of life. Imagine knowing that if you’re exhausted, someone will step in and hold your child, help prepare a meal, or simply sit with you in solidarity. Imagine a world where women are not competitors but partners, woven into each other’s lives in a way that makes everyone stronger.

This world once existed. It wasn’t just a vision—it was a reality in many ancient communities across the world. For thousands of years, women lived in deeply connected groups, raising children together, sharing resources, healing one another, and offering wisdom across generations. The isolation and competition among women today is not natural; it is something we have been conditioned to accept. By looking back at our history, we can begin to rebuild what was lost.

How Women Thrived in Communal Support Throughout History

1. Matrilineal Societies: Women as Leaders and Caretakers

Throughout history, many societies were matrilineal, meaning that inheritance, lineage, and even leadership were passed through the mother’s side. Women were not only respected but revered.

The Iroquois Confederacy (North America): Women held significant power, choosing the male leaders and ensuring the well-being of the community. Land and homes belonged to women, and sisterhood was essential for survival.
The Mosuo of China: Sometimes referred to as one of the last matriarchal societies, the Mosuo women lead their households, and child-rearing is a shared responsibility between grandmothers, aunts, and sisters.
African Matrilineal Tribes: In certain regions of Ghana, Malawi, and the Congo, property and knowledge passed from mother to daughter. Women supported one another not just in domestic duties but in leadership and trade.

These societies weren’t perfect, but they show us that a world where women stand together has existed and thrived.

2. The Village as a Collective: Raising Children Together

For much of human history, the burden of raising a child did not fall solely on one woman’s shoulders. Motherhood was not an isolating experience but a shared one. Today, I hear more woman speak of the isolation they experience after childbirth far too often.

Babies were often breastfed by multiple women, ensuring that no child went hungry and that mothers were not left alone in exhaustion.
Young girls learned from their grandmothers and aunties, growing up surrounded by wisdom and love rather than societal pressure to conform to unrealistic expectations.
Women took turns caring for the community’s children, allowing each other time to rest, create, and contribute in ways beyond just child-rearing. Doesn't that sound like pure bliss?

This shared responsibility fostered a deep sense of belonging—not just for the children but for the women themselves. No one was left alone to struggle in silence.

3. The Role of Midwives, Healers, and Wisdom Keepers

In many ancient communities, women were the healers, the ones who understood the land, the cycles of the body, and the power of intuition.

Midwives were more than childbirth attendants; they were pillars of the community, guiding women through pregnancy, birth, and the challenges of motherhood.
Herbalists and healers passed down remedies and rituals, ensuring the health and well-being of future generations.
Elder women were revered, not cast aside. Their wisdom was sought after, and their voices carried weight.

This was a time when women’s knowledge and contributions were honored. The loss of this reverence in modern society has left many women feeling unsupported, unheard, and disconnected from their own power.

The Benefits of This Lifestyle for Women and Children

The effects of this communal way of living were profound:

For Women: Less stress, shared responsibilities, emotional and physical support, mentorship from elders, and a sense of belonging.
For Children: More caregivers, exposure to diverse perspectives, greater emotional security, and the ability to learn cooperation and empathy at a young age.
For the Community: Stronger bonds, better resource-sharing, and a culture built on collaboration instead of individualism.

Now, imagine a world where we brought some of these principles back.

How We Can Begin to Reclaim This Collective Womanhood Today?

What would it look like if we returned to a model of interdependence among women? Not just for mothers, but for all women?

For Mothers: A support network that relieves the pressure to “do it all alone.” Sharing childcare, trading household duties, and providing emotional support.
For Single Women or Women Without Children: Strong female friendships, mentorship opportunities, and deeper bonds that extend beyond socializing or networking.
For Older Women: A way to stay engaged, pass down wisdom, and feel valued within a community.
For Younger Women: Role models who guide, uplift, and teach them how to navigate the world with confidence.

We don’t need to live in small villages to build this community. We can create these connections in our modern lives by:

Forming small circles of support. Whether through friendships, local women’s groups, or online communities, creating intentional spaces for connection is crucial.
Shifting from competition to collaboration. Instead of seeing other women as rivals, recognize that we are stronger together.
Learning from history. Studying and embracing matriarchal and cooperative cultures helps us rediscover lost wisdom.
Supporting women-owned businesses and initiatives. Strengthening financial and emotional interdependence between women is essential.
Creating safe spaces for emotional and practical support. This could be as simple as a friend group that prioritizes honesty and encouragement or a workplace culture that uplifts women instead of forcing them to compete.

Conclusion: Reclaiming What Was Stolen

Women were never meant to do life alone. The idea that we must be independent to the point of isolation is a recent construct, designed to keep us weak. When we look at history, we see a different story—one of unity, shared strength, and deep-rooted support.

Now, it’s up to us to bring it back.

We have the power to create a world where women of all ages and backgrounds lift one another up, share their burdens, and celebrate their victories together. A world where no woman is left to navigate life’s challenges alone. That world isn’t just a dream—it is our history. And it can be our future.

Are you ready to take the first step?