Philosophy's Dr. Lisa Shapiro recently earned the Ulrike Detmers Elisabeth of Bohemia Prize from the Centre for the History of Women Philosophers an Scientists for her efforts in making accessible and in understanding the philosophical views of 17th Century philosopher Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia.

Born Elisabeth Simmern van Pallandt, Shapiro's entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy notes that while Princess Elisabeth is most well-known for her extended correspondence with René Decartes, Elisabeth's own philosophical views had much impact and involvement in other areas of  seventeenth century philosophy, politics, and religion. "Elisabeth seems to have been involved in negotiations around the Treaty of Westphalia and in efforts to restore the English monarchy after the English civil war. As Abbess of Herford (Germany) convent, she managed the rebuilding of that war-impacted community and also provided refuge to marginalized Protestant religious sects, including Labadists and Quakers."

Shapiro was presented the award in May, 2018 at the conference "Elisabeth of Bohemia (1618-1680): Life and Legacy," and she thanked Dr. Ulrike Detmers for the recognition noting that the prize "demonstrates a similar vision for recognizing the work being done to raise awareness about women in the history of philosophy and thereby to revitalize the discipline." 

"We are at an important moment right now," she goes on, "with work being done by so many people, including the important work of Prof. Dr. Ruth Hagengruber and the Centre for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists at Paderborn University, to rehabilitate the work of women philosophers throughout our history."

Watch: Sarah Hutton in Conversation with Lisa Shapiro on Elisabeth of Bohemia