Reid-Merritt, a professor of social work and African American studies, attempts to unmask the mythical "fast-talking, finger-shaking, hip-swinging" image of the superstrong black woman. The objective is to free black women from the burden of their image and to promote a "new era in black female identity." Reid-Merritt talked with black women from a broad range of professional, financial, and social backgrounds who have conquered the limitations imposed by society or themselves at earlier stages in their lives. From those conversations and her research, she has identified the seven "pathways" most frequently reported by the women she interviewed: domestic warrior, single-parent professional, independent free-floater, passionate soul mate, blissful wonder, faithful follower, and soul survivor. The author identifies personality traits and life choices for each pathway. The chapters include women's recollections on race, sex, coming-of-age, pursuing careers, finding life partners, and raising children. Each chapter is followed by the author's observations of common themes and lessons in this absorbing look at different paths to achieving peace and fulfillment in life.
Vanessa BushCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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From the Inside Flap
Sister Wisdom
Following the success of her Blackboard bestseller Sister Power, Patricia Reid-Merritt takes a new look at the life journeys of today’s African American women.
Based on eye-opening research into African American women at midlife, Sister Wisdom examines the experiences and environments that lead to lives of satisfaction. The result is an inspiring model for soulful women of all ages.
Drawing on forty-two in-depth interviews, this book heralds resilient women who have high expectations and have learned to make bold choices through six crucial life challenges. Through the years, they have confronted issues of self-acceptance, early love and marriage, career successes and failures, and twists of fate. Overcoming problems and dilemmas both public and private, these courageous women have adapted, adjusted, restructured their relationships, and come out on top on their own terms.
Here, you’ll learn the seven key pathways that African American women today are following to achieve satisfying lives:
- Domestic warriors–whose primary energies are focused on their homes and families
- Single-parent professionals–who by choice or life circumstance take primary responsibility for raising and providing for their children
- Independent free floaters–who are at the center of their own lives
- Passionate soul mates–who are profoundly in love
- Blissful wonders–who have achieved a near-perfect balance between the needs of their loved ones, their professional careers, and their personal desires
- Faithful followers–who derive their strength, direction, salvation, and solution to all problems from their faith
- Soul survivors–whose daily struggles, social burdens, and personal tragedies provide focus, strength, and new directions in life
Sisters of all ages also will be enriched by the wisdom of Dr. Reid-Merritt’s often surprising findings. Some five million African American women over the age of thirty are approaching their prime. Their circumstances are significantly different from those who traveled before them. Filled with inspiration and practical insight, Sister Wisdom lights the way.
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