Mother-Scholar

Abstract

Feminists have asserted that maternal knowledge can be applied outside the immediate context of family, informing and benefiting other social arenas and concerns, such as politics, community relationships, peace, and environmental justice. In this chapter, I include a theoretical overview of the synergy between maternity and intellect, building the theoretical framework for analysis, “motherscholar.” The chapter begins with Adrienne Rich’s monumental contention that even when restrained by patriarchy, motherhood can be a source of empowerment and political activism. From there, I investigate the work of eminent scholars who explore the deep relationship between mothering and cognition.