This article reports on a research study of a feminist grassroots process for empowering women, primarily poor African American women, engaged in community Circles of Hope. These Circles are not locality-based or affinity groupings of neighborhood women, but groups created with intentional diversity to involve women in empowerment work, supportive networks, and social as well as community change efforts. Analysis of qualitative data from six focus groups and quantitative survey data from 33 focus group participants revealed that participation in the Circles is related to empowerment as indicated by women’s increased sense of community, personal/collective efficacy, and citizen participation. An unexpected finding was that the mix in these Circles of African American women with women of other races and of diverse ages, faith traditions and socio-economic backgrounds yielded unique benefits for participants and for community building.
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