Making History at the Frontier

Abstract

This volume presents the stories of 11 women anthropologists whose career paths have successfully navigated the terrain of practice. Its overall goal is to help future generations of anthropologists who are initiating careers in practice, both women and men. Students in applied anthropology programs, and others considering careers in practice, are hungry for such information. A second goal is to highlight the contributions and concerns of women practitioners from the perspective of feminist anthropology. Three common threads run across the life histories of these authors: an integrated scholar-practitioner identity; improvisation; and a shared set of building blocks for constructing their lives. Brief histories of four forerunners are provided to provide historical depth. They illustrate the continuing importance of persistence and determination, as well as the possibility of having meaningful and satisfying careers by approaching life and work creatively in the face of various obstacles.