Saint Hildegard von Bingen (1098 – 17 September 1179) was a German writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, Benedictine abbess, visionary, and polymath. In recent years, Hildegard has become of particular interest to feminist scholars. They note her reference to herself as a member of the "weaker sex" and her rather constant belittling of women. Hildegard frequently referred to herself as an unlearned woman, completely incapable of Biblical exegesis. Such a statement on her part, however, worked to her advantage because it made her statements that all of her writings and music came from visions of the Divine more believable, therefore giving Hildegard the authority to speak in a time and place where few women were permitted a voice
- Barbara Newman, “Hildegard of Bingen: Visions and Validation