Defense Date
6-16-2025
Graduation Date
Summer 8-1-2025
Availability
Immediate Access
Submission Type
dissertation
Degree Name
EdD
Department
Educational Studies (General Education)
School
School of Education
Committee Chair
Dr. Rick McCown
Committee Member
Dr. Gibbs Kanyongo
Committee Member
Dr. Yvonne English Roebuck
Keywords
Empowerment, African American Women, Black Women, phenomenological, case study, social capital, support networks, sisterhood
Abstract
This phenomenological case study examines the role of empowerment within the “Sisters Lifting as We Climb Network” through the experiences of Black women participants in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews, the research investigates the organization's origins, evolution, and social support mechanisms that foster empowerment, as well as participants' experiences with programs and activities over the past nine years. Additionally, the study identifies areas for organizational improvement to further enhance participant empowerment.
The findings of this research support the empowerment theory framework by clarifying the preconditions, processes, and outcomes of empowerment within the Network, which fosters sisterhood and enhances participants' self-efficacy and collective agency, ultimately improving their quality of life and communities.
Emphasizing the development of culturally tailored programs designed for and by Black women through a Black feminist theory lens (Collins, 2000), this study highlights the critical role of social support networks in addressing challenges faced by marginalized populations in urban environments. This dissertation contributes to the discourse on community support and systemic equity, offering insights into effective empowerment and advocacy strategies for diverse communities.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Hearn Davis, S. (2025). EMPOWERMENT THROUGH THE SISTERS LIFTING AS WE CLIMB NETWORK: EXAMINING THE ORGANIZATION’S IMPACT ON BLACK WOMEN (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/2357
Additional Citations
Davis, S. H., Dixon, T., Francette, K., Gamble, S., & Hearn, E. (2021). Realities of Black Women: Dismantling the False Narratives of Black Women in America. Academy of Visions.
Included in
Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Growth and Development Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Nonprofit Studies Commons, Organization Development Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social Justice Commons, Social Work Commons, Urban Studies Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons