From Pain to Peace: An African American Woman Finding Voice in Black Womanist Theology

Abstract

This was an autoethnographic study designed to assist me to understand my journey as daughter, mother, wife, teacher, and leader. Autoethnography was used as an examination of the author’s perspective as the researcher, through a detailed examination of African American women in leadership and mothering, as a subject.

This study examined the lived experiences of two focus groups compromised of four African American Young mothers and four Older African American mothers. Additionally the study also examined the lived experiences of my father, husband, three aunts, and my three daughters. The objective was to gain an understanding of their perspectives on African American women as mothers and leaders.

The data were collected using reflexive journaling, interviews, and family photos. The data were analyzed using Nvivo for transcript analysis where reoccurring themes simulated to allow dominant themes to emerge. The study confirmed findings that 1) African American women as mothers show love in many ways, 2) African American women pass strength on as a legacy, 3) African American women rely on church and God in their leadership, and 4) African American women’s views on education are paramount in the African American community.

The most insightful conclusions from the discussions were with the African American women and men were the emergence of my voice in Black Womanist Theology.