Lupercal: Latin by and about women
Lupercal is dedicated to celebrating and increasing awareness of Latin, with a special focus on women and their stories. While our roots lie in creating spaces for women to explore Latin, our mission has expanded to welcome members of all genders who share a passion for this ancient language and its connections to women's voices throughout history.
Originally, Lupercal centered on women speaking Latin and discussing Giovanni Boccaccio's 14th-century text, De Mulieribus Claris (On Famous Women). Through these efforts, we built a thriving community dedicated to meaningful engagement with women and Latin.
Today, we embrace a broader scope: supporting students, teachers, and school communities. From professional development to immersive learning experiences, we collaborate with school districts, universities, cultural institutions, and individuals to craft customized, research-informed offerings.
Using Active Methods, we make Latin vibrant and accessible through weekly chats, book clubs, and other engaging activities. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or a curious learner, Lupercal is your space to explore the timeless language of Latin and its ties to women’s stories.
Join us on Patreon or look at our Enrichment Opportunities / Classes !
Who We Are
Skye Shirley
In addition to creating community where ever she goes, Skye has a rich expertise studying and teaching Latin written by women. She has taught a number of graduate level courses focused on the topic to support diverse voices in the Latin classroom. She earned her PhD in Latin at the University of London, and her dissertation focused on the writing of Latin women poets from the 17th century.
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Credentials Ph.D. in Latin at University College London M.A. in Latin, Teaching Track , UMass Boston  B.A. Boston College in English and Creative Writing ​ 6 years of teaching Latin at Newton Country Day School (private, all-girls) 2 years of teaching Latin at Brookline High School (public, co-ed) ​ Consultant/representative for: The AP Latin Exam (current) The American Classical League (current) The National Latin Exam (past) The National Humanities Institute (past)
Lauren Downey
After teaching Latin for 18 years in public high schools in Massachusetts, Lauren is switching gears to support Latin teachers and students of Latin with specialized programming.
In addition to launching this new career path, Lauren has three young boys who keep her busy!
B.A. in Classical Civilizations, Cornell University 2002 M.A.T. in Latin and Classics, Boston University 2007
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