S/HE Forum #2

Forum 2 (0.25 Credit)

Title: Inanna: Examples of Eros and Justice

Time: 10AM-12 PM on Feb 7 and Feb 21 2026 (two sessions of 2 hours per session)

Organizer/Instructor: Judy Grahn, Ph.D. in U.S.A.

Summary: Sumerian goddess Inanna is extremely complex, paradoxical, centered in the powers of a woman’s body, and immanent everywhere. Our forum will feature two of her qualities: her erotic love, and her concerns with justice. Feb 7 Dr. Grahn will read some of Inanna’s love poetry, and Dr. Jenett will bring in additional poetry from a civilization in the Indus Valley of north India, that both paralleled and directly traded with Sumer. The Sangam literature addresses the lush erotic powers of women, and the uniquely female quality of attractiveness known as ananku in the literature, and called kuzbu in ancient Sumerian literature. Then on Feb 21, Dr. Grenn will present on the Sumerian/Mesopotamian tradition of Lilith as a figure who resisted a patriarchal paradigm in choosing to flee the prison of “Paradise”, and Dr. Grahn will complete the Forum with her analysis of Inanna’s justice, and in particular her protection of the sexual autonomy of women.

Guest Presenters: Dianne E. Jenett, Ph.D. and D’vorah Grenn, Ph.D.

Registration is available below:

Registration Open: S/HE Forum Course Spring 2026