Discovering the Strength of Our Voices

Women and literacy programs

by Betty-Ann Lloyd

The report from phase one of a research project

Table of Contents --- Discovering the strength of our voices

1. The first phase of the research was an exploratory process-to discover focus questions
   1-1 Goals for the research project; objectives for this first, exploratory phase
   1-2 The research process during this first phase
   1-3 The "facts" concerning the visits to four Canadian communities
   
   
   
2. Four vignettes: What does it mean to think and talk about ourselves as "women"?
   2-1 What do we do when we begin to talk among ourselves as women?
   2-2 When we begin to listen to women's stories, what do we hear about ourselves?
   2-3 Why do we need to pay attention to women's stories once we begin to hear them?
   2-4 When we hear women's stories about their lives, how do we begin to "do" literacy?
   
   
3. How can we understand what we hear when we listen to women
   3-1 The words women spoke during the visits have been organized into 21 themes
   3-2 These themes clarified the issues and assumptions behind this first phase
   3-3 Reflecting on the themes, issues and assumptions led to certain interpretations
   3-4 Three questions focussed the reflections that came out of this first phase
   
   
   
4. What do we want to do next? What could the second phase of this research look like?
   4-1 The questions that can inform the process of the second, action/participatory phase 4-2 The commitment of CCLOW for the second phase
   4-3 The commitment of the programs that participate
   4-4 Possible program activities during the second phase of the research