In Issue #1, I wrote about the transformative power of nature, specifically through gardening, and how Greenwoman would explore and celebrate this power through literature and art. That is still true. But now I have to recognize a more expansive goal. Greenwoman’s larger mission is this: To make the world a better place. (There, I wrote it. I admit it.)
Through the years, when I’ve shared this changing-the-world-through-art idea, I’ve been called an idealist (can’t argue there), a Pollyanna, and even a Don Quixote. Guess what? I don’t care one whit. I know art is powerful. It can change the world. My job? To provide the medium. If Greenwoman’s mission is naïve, I say a world with more naiveté will surely be a better world.
I was moved to acknowledge this grander notion when Seth Godin’s book Tribes showed up in my life. I learned about this paradigm-changing book while reading a blog post by Leslie Martin, creator of the sublime natural home and beauty blog “Crunchy Betty.” (See page 18 for Leslie’s new column.) In that post, Leslie explained her meaning of the word crunchy. (Crunchy is about striving for a healthy, mindful, beautiful life.) Reading her post, I learned about tribes (both the book and the concept). I also learned that crunchy is a tribe!—and that Greenwoman is crunchy!
I bought a copy of Godin’s book and was reminded that we all seek tribes (groups, clubs, affiliations) that are reflections of ourselves and what we value most. Pondering this, I recognized that Greenwoman is a newborn tribe in and of itself; it is also a member of several bigger tribes: author tribes, artist tribes, environmentalist tribes, and so on.
Members of the Greenwoman tribe surely love a creative life—one filled with art, writing and learning. We share a deep love and respect for nature and gardening, and we share a strong sense of responsibility that we are the ones who must help heal our planet. Our serious quest for a better life is enriched by an outrageously divine sense of humor and a never- ending delight in fun.
My work is to grow this splendid tribe by getting the word out: The Greenwoman tribe has arrived. Toward that end, sub- scribers (“great tribal elders,” if you will) are receiving multiple copies of this 2nd issue. Subscribers, please accept these issues as tokens of my heartfelt thanks. I hope you will enjoy sharing them with friends and family.
Sharing is another ethic of our tribe, and this issue is an excellent example. Come share in the bounty! I’m especially proud of Cheri Coburn’s beautifully-wrought biography of the legendary American scientist, environmentalist, and (quiet) social activist, Dr. George Washington Carver. “GWC” (as we grew to call him in our many emails) is more than an historical figure; he is a man for today—a creator of brilliant solutions for hard times, a champion of lifelong learning, beauty, common sense, and making do with what one has. You’ll also love (among others) Molly O’Neill’s “Rare Breed” (about a man who is saving heritage turkey breeds), Michael Stusser’s “The Garden Club” (a story bursting with humor and heart), and Alissa Johnson’s “Naked Tomatoes,” (a delicately told tale of the changing landscape of love).
Sandra Knauf
Editor and Publisher November, 2011
Zora Knauf,
Editorial Assistant Extraordinaire
Winter/Spring 2012
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