Second, I see myself differently and I think other people in my day-to-day life see me differently. I wonder if they know, or ever knew, who I am. I feel like my identity has shifted, has come more under question from within myself and from other people. I realize I want to be where I don't have to guard or protect myself so much from possible misunderstanding. I also realize I want to be where there is less silence about questions.

Third, I'm less willing to take political action. I used to be much more willing to organize public activities, meetings, try to form groups to address issues. Perhaps it's temporary but I have drawn away from any group involvement. I remain committed to take political action for myself, my children, or individual I women, and am getting ready to make some changes for myself. Perhaps I need to empower myself more before I continue to advocate other women taking power for themselves. Perhaps I'm not willing to pay the price of public political action any more.

My personal ending to the research project involves as many difficult questions for me as it has provided new information and possible answers.

Part of my journey continues to be with the women in the program and telling the truth about our lives in our own language our own way. In particular, I think of women who've been with the program for four years and have become' close friends. By paying closer attention to them in the journal I see how they are now taking personal action in their own lives and supporting other women the same way they get support in the program. It's like they create ripples of their own that caress people around them.