“Somos mujeres y seres humanos:" Historias de vida y sanación con inmigrantes latinas sobrevientes de violencia domestica

Authors

Sofia Halperin-Goldstein, shalperi@macalester.eduFollow

Document Type

Honors Project

Comments

Advisor: Professor Teresa Mesa, Hispanic Studies Department

Abstract

While storytelling has been a source of resistance and survival within communities of color for centuries, the therapeutic potential of the personal narrative has only recently been recognized and adopted by health-related fields. Based on a year-long oral project history project with eight immigrant Latina mothers and survivors of domestic violence, this thesis examines the connection between healing and storytelling in the specific context of trauma and societal oppression. The value of this project extends beyond the act of recording an oral history, given the intersectional discrimination experienced by the participants as women of color, immigrants, and members of the working class. It is the project’s combination of emotional release, solidarity, and community support, that nourishes the women’s well-being and sense of identity. For the eight participants in this collaboration, change begins within the individual. Yet by sharing their stories, this group also seeks gender equity, human rights and social justice for all oppressed peoples.

Recommended Citation

Halperin-Goldstein, Sofia, "“Somos mujeres y seres humanos:" Historias de vida y sanación con inmigrantes latinas sobrevientes de violencia domestica" (2015). Hispanic Studies Honors Projects. 6.
https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/hisp_honors/6