This paper argues that women experience two realities, a "private sphere" and a "public sphere," and the implication of this dual perspective needs to be addressed by women scholars in all disciplines. The idea behind these two spheres of reality is traced back to the ancient Greeks where household management (oikos) was the female domain and the public sphere (polis) was the male domain. The sacred center of the oikos was the hearth and hearthfire, governed by the Greek goddess, Hestia, while the public sphere was protected by Hermes. Acknowledging that gender reality may include both spheres, this paper examines: (1) the split consciousness of women; (1) the Hestian archetype as self-defined female essence; (2) the role of language; and (3) the gender-neutral language of systems thinking. An examination of writings on the nature of universities reveals the Hermean perspective, and home economics and women's studies are outside this perspective. Today, universities remain predominately Hermean in perspective and resistant to change, while feminist reconceptualizing of the disciplines is slowly changing the Hermean structure. A 58-item bibliography and three tables are included. (DJC)