The aging feminist and organizing experience

Thesis (M.S.W.) California State University, Los Angeles, 2012Committee members: Connie Corley, Dale WeaverActivism, Aging, Feminism, Feminist Life Course Perspective, OrganizingThe purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of female organizers over the age of 60. The research will examine the narratives of older women who identify as feminists and as activists. The sample for this study included 8 women, ranging in age from 67-94. Feminist life course perspective was used to explore their lived experiences, their perceptions, beliefs and motivations. The study used the feminist life course perspective to consider often oppressed facets of identity such as race, class, sex, and age in order to get a fuller representation of participants' lived experience. The study highlighted specific themes such as behavioral motivations in activism, life and work satisfaction, self-perceptions, values and lived experiences. This study is important because it investigates an ignored and marginalized population within the research community