| Some scholars proposed that one understands a person's identity by analyzing two overarching themes in the person's story: agency and communion. Many scholars have associated agency with men and communion with women while assuming a conflictual relationship between the two. Certain scholars have also warned that Western societies, including the United States, traditionally emphasize agency while marginalizing communion. This dissertation is a narrative study that highlights the lives of women who challenge this tradition by embodying active engagement (agency) without sacrificing caring connectedness (communion).;Six women were selected who stood out for their leadership in vocational environments where caring connectedness and mutual empowerment were guiding principles. Two participants worked in the corporate sphere, two worked as social activists, and two worked in education.;Data collection involved two steps, a brief background questionnaire followed by an in-depth, semi-structured interview. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed, then analyzed for themes. Six themes were identified across all six narratives: (a) Early experience with significant instability, threat, loss, or injustice; (b) Early experience witnessing extraordinary behaviors in support of others; (c) Lack of identification with social norms in one's environment; (d) Capacity to embrace negative experiences or significant challenges with pragmatic action; (e) Sense of learning or growth through one's experience; and (f) Sense of purpose that promotes wellbeing beyond the self.;This study revealed that significant struggles early in life had a stifling impact on agency. Each woman, however, was able to grow strongly agentic despite this circumstance. For some women, this process was relatively smooth. For others, it was not. When it was not, circumstances led to a dramatic shift toward greater clarity and a more positive self-understanding. In any case, the women drew on their early difficulties to devote their lives to a purpose that, in their own unique way, encourages a more caring and supportive world.;Inspired by feminist--relational and narrative identity development theory, this study demonstrates that agency and communion need not be conflictual and, in fact, can be co-creating under conditions of mutuality. Understanding this potential may be important given the disconnectedness and social distress in the world. |
