Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

African-American Studies

First Advisor

Makungu Akinyela

Second Advisor

Akinyele Umoja

Third Advisor

Monique Moultrie

Abstract

Studies have examined the ways in which other mothering functions in the black community. Yet, few scholars have investigated how other mothering may operate in religious environments. This study utilizes a qualitative design with a feminist phenomenological approach to explore the ways in which the phenomenon of other mothering has evolved into a ministry for black women. A sample of 14 African American women were selected from the membership of two metropolitan Atlanta area churches, Mt. Olive Baptist Church and Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were analyzed using descriptive and pattern coding. Womanist theology was chosen as the theoretical framework. The researcher believes that this study contributes to the body of existing literature that examines mothers’ ministries and that the participants find liberation through their mothering roles despite their historical marginalization in the church.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/5507240

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