African American Women: A Study of Will and Success

By Elizabeth A. Peterson

African American women have struggled since slavery to overcome barriers such as economic deprivation, sexism, and racism. History is replete with black women of remarkable will who have struggled to beat the odds, women like Harriet Tubman, Mary McCleod Berthune, and Rosa Parks.This study focuses on the importance of relationships and life experiences which develop a strong self-will in African American women. The raw material was derived from interviews with 30 black women, age 25 to 95. From these, 15 were selected for in-depth analysis. Also studied were the literary heroines of four contemporary African American novelists--Zoira Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou. Four important themes emerge: mothers and daughters; black women as sisters; heightened spirituality; and the black community. The implications for education are also carefully examined.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0899507301
• ISBN13: 9780899507309
• Release Date: November 1992
• Publisher: McFarland Publishing
• Length: 138 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"