The work of articulating the ideas in this thesis resulted from numerous conversations beginning well before the years of my graduate study. As is true for many women, this articulation has been informed not by an odyssean quest, but rather by a persistent tending to the heart and hearth of my own experiences and the narratives of those generous enough to share theirs with me. These conversations have taught me the indivisibility of theory and practice.
I owe an unceasing gratitude to the Women’s Collective of the Center for Nonviolence, especially to Beth Murphy Beams, Carmen Pendleton, Maralee Martin, Ana Giusti, and Hermelinda Reyes, who welcomed, participated in setting up, and helped to analyze the creative writing classes I taught for their clients. I thank Aida Girod, who translated both my written and oral communications with the Spanish-speaking participants in the class. I thank the members of the Bishop Luers High School Key Club who voluntarily provided childcare and Corinne Holtzberg, Pat Mullins, and Cherlyn Jackson, who professionally cared for the children of women attending both the support groups and my class.
I thank Linda Fox, Director of the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) Women’s Studies Program and Professor of Spanish, who invited me to participate in the Indiana University system-wide “Celebrating Our Students” feminist scholar development weekend-the catalyst for this thesis and the encouragement of my scholarship. I also thank members of the department of English & Linguistics, Carol Dulin Roberts, Mary Ann Cain, Avon Crismore, Beverly Hume, and George Kalamaras, who have gone out of their way to mentor my scholarship and professional participation in national academic conferences. In addition, I thank Lawrence Kuznar and Alan Sandstrom, anthropologists, who encouraged me always to incorporate a scientific perspective when investigating the human experience.