New England Journal of Public Policy

Article Title

Protest and Thrive: The Relationship between Global Responsibility and Personal Empowerment

Authors

Sarah A. Conn, Harvard University

Abstract

Economic empowerment is intricately linked to personal empowerment, which for many women starts with notions of caring and responsibility. When we care about ourselves, our family, our neighborhood, our community, and our world, we are often moved to action. Examples of women activists abound. This article examines the psychological forces that lead to individual empowerment and social change and warns us that to ignore our reactions to the world around us is to limit our own possibilities for personal growth. Personal power comes from taking responsibility for ourselves in a context of interconnectedness and interdependence. Awareness, understanding, direct experience, and action are key components of developing personal power in a global context. As we "hatch out" through powerful emotions to action and growth, we can move to empower others as well.

Recommended Citation

Conn, Sarah A. (1990) "Protest and Thrive: The Relationship between Global Responsibility and Personal Empowerment," New England Journal of Public Policy: Vol. 6: Iss. 1, Article 18.
Available at: https://scholarworks.umb.edu/nejpp/vol6/iss1/18