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Of Pillars and Spores: The Genius of Woman

Pillars and spores are images used by Edith Stein (1891-1942) in one of her essays on women. The woman who becomes or is becoming what she is meant to be, Stein explains, is “like a pillar to which many fasten themselves, thereby attaining a firm footing.” Further, women who are on their way to becoming whole persons can, in turn, help others to realize their personal fulfillment. In this way, Stein argues, women are like “healthy, energetic spores supplying healthy energy” to all whom God puts in their path. The metaphors of pillar and spore provide easy to remember associational images of how Stein defines the constitutive nature, vocation, and genius of woman.