Dissertation Journey: The Struggles of Catholic Women Priests and How We Can Support Them

Today, I replied to the three women priests who responded to my request to be a part of my dissertation study. All three agreed! I am still waiting on one more response. I included the Recruitment Letter and the Consent Form in my request.  One of the women priests included her signed consent form. My first signed consent form! I emailed them to ask for dates and times that we could meet in January and February 2021.  I will be conducting interviews, which I call pláticas, heart-to-heart conversations. What I like to call, I-to-I talks. In future posts, I will discuss the theoretical framework and the methodology that I'm using for my dissertation.  I have been energized since I learned that my study was approved. I'm looking forward to meeting with the women.  (Quote by Gloria Anzaldúa, n.d.) Yesterday, I found several Catholic women priests that I believe their voices would be important to include in my study. My dissertation committee encouraged me to only interview six or s

Today, I begin my blog to document my dissertation journey! My plan is to graduate by December 2021. I will highlight my progress. Thank you for following me and supporting my effort.  I am "first gen" to graduate from Phoenix College, AA (1993), ASU, BA, emphasis in Latin American Studies (1996), UCLA School of Law, JD, and ASU, PhD (anticipated graduation 2021).  On December 17, 2020, I successfully defended my dissertation prospectus: Anzaldúa's Path of Conocimiento in service of Roman Catholic Women Priests. I am now ABD (all but dissertation), a PhD Candidate. A couple of days later, ASU's IRB approved my updated research study application.  (Morris & Irvin, 2009) On December 29, 2020, I began reaching out to four Catholic women priests who had agreed to be a part of my study in 2017, later in the day, I heard from three of them. I'm so excited! I want to learn about the struggles women priests face in their everyday lives and how we can support them so t