Perspectives from Women Organizers

Abstract

This paper compares the perspectives of a diverse group of women in relation to their views about the impact of gender, race, class, and sexual orientation on their organizing and feminism. It uses data from a group of women organizers who first came together in 1989, and who were interviewed in 2002 as part of this follow-up study. The study found both commonalities and differences in comparing white women with women of color. While all the women identified as feminists and most used a feminist model of organizing, the women of color were more likely to express frustrations and divisions within the women's movement and it's organizing goals than were white women. They were less likely to embrace coalitions as a current strategy, and were engaged in or focused on the local versus global picture. Neither group of women addressed issues of sexual orientation in their work regardless of their background or affiliation. Using an intersectionality framework, the paper assesses the challenges the women face, especially women of color, as they attempt to negotiate the complexity of their identities and achieve important goals for women. Notwithstanding their differences, many of these organizers were working to bridge the divisions and envisioned a humanistic and equalitarian women's agenda.

Key Words:

• Women organizers
• feminism/feminist organizing
• women of color
• intersectionality
• race/racism
• sexual orientation
• community organizing