Goal focus and perseverence despite obstacles in the way or elusive-
ness of the quarry are Artemis qualities that lead to achievements
and accomplishments. This archetype makes it possible to hit a self-
chosen mark.
ARCHETYPE OF THE WOMEN’S MOVEMENT
Artemis represents qualities idealized by the women’s move-
ment—achievement and competence, independence from men and
male opinions, and concern for victimized, powerless women and
the young. Artemis the goddess aided her mother Leto in childbirth,
rescued Leto and Arethusa from rape, and punished the would-be-
rapist Tityus and the intrusive hunter Actaeon. She was the pro-
tectress of the young, especially of preadolescent girls.
These concerns of Artemis parallel the concerns of the women’s
movement that have led to the organization of rape clinics, self-
protection classes, help for sexually harassed women, and shelters
for battered women. The women’s movement has emphasized safe
childbirth and midwifery, has been concerned about incest and
pornography, and is motivated by a desire to prevent harm to wo-
men and children and to punish those who do such harm.
THE SISTER
Artemis the goddess was accompanied by a band of nymphs,
minor deities who were associated with mountains, woods, and
streams. They traveled with her, exploring and hunting over a wide
wilderness terrain. They were unconstrained by domesticity, fash-
ions, or ideas of what women “should” be doing, and were beyond
the control of men or of masculine preferences. They were like “sis-
ters,” with Artemis as the “Big Sister” who led them and to whom
they could appeal for help. Because Artemis is its archetypal inspir-
ation, it is thus no wonder that the women’s movement has emphas-
ized the “sisterhood” of women.
Gloria Steinem, a founder and editor of Ms. magazine, is a contem-
porary woman who personifies aspects of the Arte-
Goddesses in Everywoman