The Permaculture Podcast Karryn Olson: A Pattern Language for Women in Permaculture
Jul 11, 2025
Karryn Olson-Ramanujan, an environmental educator and permaculture designer from South Dakota, shares her insights on empowering women in permaculture. She introduces a unique pattern language to enhance female leadership and discusses the intersection of gender, motherhood, and sustainable living. Olson highlights the need for inclusivity and self-reflection to reshape perceptions in the predominantly white permaculture community. She advocates for the '30% solution' to address gender disparities and emphasizes valuing traditionally feminine roles to foster a more diverse permaculture movement.
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Karin's Formative Global Experiences
- Karin Olson shares her formative experiences living abroad and encountering sustainable practices in Germany and Ghana.
- These experiences broadened her environmental awareness and shaped her passion for permaculture and women's empowerment.
Subconscious Gender Biases in Leadership
- Subtle, subconscious gender biases accumulate to disadvantage women in permaculture and STEM.
- Women’s competent leadership is often undervalued until they comprise at least 30% in leadership roles.
Aim for 30% Women Leaders
- Organizations should analyze their leadership and aim for at least 30% women in leadership positions.
- Actively expand networks to include women and underrepresented groups for equitable leadership.
