Our Name
The name Magdalene has rich historical associations. St Mary of Magdala, or the Magdalene, is well known as a trusted companion, advisor and leader.
Magdalene reflects the powerful, courageous, maternal spirit and earth mother that protects, nurtures and guides us.
Our association with Magdalene acknowledges that Justice is personified as a woman. She holds the ancient symbols for fair treatment for all under the law.
Magdalene’s name is often referenced within scholarly traditions of academic excellence and rigour. But the truth of Magdalene’s life and meaning remains shrouded in mystery.
The many stories of Magdalene are influenced by the social context of the storytellers. The competing narratives hold lessons for how history can be rewritten, how context matters, and how by continually seeking to understand our past we can better champion the rights and relationships of our peoples and environment in our own time.