| Through a humanist, socialist, and feminist lens, this study is an exploration of the process of social change. The present study focuses on the personal and social transformation processes of eight exemplary individuals, six of whom the author has known through an extensive history of solidarity work and social action. The resulting narratives are situated in their socio-economic, cultural, and political context, which includes a discussion of the history of Latin American Marxism and the roots of armed struggle in El Salvador.;There were four main goals of the study: (a) to understand the process of social change more deeply, including exploring the links between personal and social transformation; (b) to learn about what motivates people to try to change unjust social conditions, including an exploration of pivotal life experiences and the inhibiting or facilitating role of one's social context; (c) to elucidate the insights of exemplary agents of change through exposure to their values, the variety of their methods of work, and the depth of their social analysis; and lastly, (d) to attempt to inspire and encourage all those who seek to create a better world by addressing the root causes of poverty, oppression, and injustice and by engaging in the process of personal and social transformation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |
