Women creating social capital and social change: A follow-up study of women-led community development organizations.
Item
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Title
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Women creating social capital and social change: A follow-up study of women-led community development organizations.
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Identifier
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AAI3310746
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identifier
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3310746
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Creator
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Steffy, Tracy.
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Contributor
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Advisers: Marilyn Gittell | Joyce Gelb
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Date
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2008
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Political Science, General | Women's Studies
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Abstract
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This dissertation explores the leadership and political influence of women through their participation in local community development organizations in the U.S. The research follows up on a Ford Foundation sponsored study that examined women's leadership in community development in the U.S. and identified among other thing, women leader's "holistic" and "comprehensive" definition of development as well as the significant gender, race and class-based barriers that they and their organizations face as they pursue development, and social and political change. It also found that while women were networked with other leaders and organizations, they lacked access to key funding and political networks. Because community-based non-profit organizations are a key means through which individuals and communities that face race, class, ethnicity and gender-based discrimination can call for economic, social and political change, it continues to important to understand women's community activism and leadership in these organizations. It is also true that in the U.S. these groups are relied upon to deliver essential services, and housing and economic development that elsewhere might be the responsibility of the state. It is also critical to assess how, and under what conditions, women have or have not been able to meet the needs of their constituents through direct service provision and local development. Coming ten years after the original study, this research focuses on the legacy and success of individual women leaders, the trajectory of the organizations, and examines in depth the question of network and relationship building among the organizations, and between the organizations and local political leaders. In the ten years since the original study was completed, twenty percent of the groups are no longer in operation. In addition, women leaders indicate that securing adequate funding has become more difficult while at the same time the need in their communities has become more acute. Whereas women leaders had previously indicated that gender and race were key barriers, ten years later most saw access to adequate funding, especially for general operating support as the primary obstacle but only some considered gender to be an issue in access to funding.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
