Where My Girls At? Gendered Approach to Waterville Community Power Structure

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Honors Thesis (Open Access)

Department

Colby College. Government Dept.

Advisor(s)

L. Sandy Maisel

Second Advisor

Carrie LeVan

Abstract

This thesis seeks to explain Waterville, Maine’s community power structure and how women fit into it. Although women hold positions of power, their titles may not translate into equal influence. Using qualitative and quantitative analyses, my research suggests that Waterville has a neo-pluralistic power structure and gender dynamics do exist. Both leaders and the general public perceive Colby and City administration to be the most influential in decision-making processes. The only area women dominate leadership positions is in community organizations. Waterville citizens may believe that women in power are treated equally, but women in business and political leadership recount negative experiences due to gender.

Comments

Note: Full-text is currently unavailable due to a technical issue. 4/12/2019

Keywords

community power structure, women in power, women, waterville, neo-pluralistic, gender dynamics

This document is not available online

Share

COinS