Date of Award
Fall 12-2013
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Program
Urban Studies
Department
School of Urban and Regional Planning
Major Professor
Christiana Croegaert
Second Advisor
Renia Ehrenfeucht
Third Advisor
Rachel Breunlin
Abstract
Abstract
Black women are disproportionately affected by adverse health conditions, such as obesity and heart disease. For example, more black women currently die from complications associated with diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure than any other ethnic group in the United States (Gourdine 2011). There are however, increasing numbers of everyday black women who defy these statistics and are positive role models for all women. One such group of women is the New Orleans chapter of Sistas On The Move (SOTM), an all-female running group that emphasizes the importance of black women’s health and builds community around physical activity. Through field interviews and participant observation, I examine the following questions: What motivates these women to run, walk and lead healthy lifestyles in New Orleans? How do SOTM members claim and utilize space in New Orleans for their physical health and social activities?
Recommended Citation
McMillan, Valerie A., "Sistas On The Move: An Ethnographic Case Study of Health and Friendship in Urban Space among Black Women in New Orleans" (2013). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1751.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1751
IRB Approval
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.