Several women felt very strongly that their involvement in the research would broaden their understanding of the kinds of literacy work being done in different parts of the country and in different kinds of programs. A few of us felt that our programs would provide others with a valuable and different perspective on adult literacy work.

This project gave us an opportunity to participate in something that explicitly worked toward the equality of women. We felt less isolated because we were connected on a national basis at the same time that we were rooted in our local perspective. Since a significant number of participants were able to provide something specifically for women within their programs, it gave women students as well as workers an opportunity to actively participate in research and to share experiences with women in other parts of Canada.

• Why did some programs and women decide not to become involved in this research?

Obviously, we cannot know for sure why many of the programs and women who knew about the research decided not to become involved. However, from our own experiences and from discussions with others, we believe that many women simply didn't have the support they would need within their program or within their community and families to take on this kind of project.

Based on the research design, the programs had to agree to sponsor the woman-positive activity. Many would not have the funding, staff, space, or energy to make this project a priority. Others might not want to risk the structural and attitudinal changes that might be required if they focused on the experiences of women students and staff. Some programs might have been confused about, or antagonistic toward, the term "woman-positive." It might have seemed too closely connected to "feminism" or to the activities of white, middle class women.

The women interested in becoming involved might not have had decision-making power in their programs. They might have faced resistance from other workers or from students, particularly men workers or students.

• Why did the programs and women who became involved choose their particular activities?

Several programs already had women-only groups or classes and women in those programs wanted an opportunity to build on these existing activities and strengths. They wanted a chance to focus on the consequences of doing these activities. Some of us wanted change in our programs and chose our activity as a place to start.

Some of us wanted to explore different options for change in ourselves and in our professional practice. We chose activities that would facilitate that exploration. And some of us simply wanted to challenge the sexism we recognized in our students, in our co-workers, and in ourselves.