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There is a piece missing from the composition discussions about voice and that is the knowledge which evolves from learning through a dynamic group experience. Voice is recognized by most scholars as having a social component, yet there is little research about voice in writing which has occurred in a social context that is purposefully designed to allow the participants to set their own parameters, ergo exercise their own voices. Through telling stories about voice and having participants choose a means to respond to those personal stories, this dissertation provides a methodology for the emergence of personal voice both physically and metaphorically. From the stories told and the responses to them, it became apparent that voice in writing operates in a much larger context than that of the word on the page. Acute to the emergence of personal voice are issues of vulnerability and personal safety. To hear each other's stories in a secure setting and be guaranteed a response creates a sense of comfort and a willingness to break barriers. Even though there is no universally accepted definition of voice, the term is used facilely and with intention by many people. Because of this it is possible to ask someone to tell a story about his or her personal experience with voice, without defining the word. These stories shed light on how the term is internalized and personally applied. Such storytelling allows a place for each person to be voiceful, whereas a strict or limiting definition of voice can rule some people out. As a pool, individual stories about voice form a field of possibilities. What is told as possible within a group then becomes the socially created parameter for voice. In this way, using the loose group framework presented in this dissertation permits fluidity as well as structure. While voice in writing is certainly framed by social contexts, it is at the same time, highly personal. Far from being at odds, as many scholars suggest, these two dimensions reinforce each other. They are mutually shaping and, therefore, neither can be considered without regard for the other.

Women represent less than three percent of engineering faculty and all indications are that the proportion of women in faculty positions is decreasing at a time when there is a critical shortage of engineering faculty. Qualitative interviews with ten women employed as faculty at two research universities were conducted. Findings indicate they were products of enriched environments and were influenced in their career choice by their fathers. All saw themselves as unusual in some way and described their educational experiences as enriched. The deviance theory, one that states women who chose nontraditional careers reject traditional family roles, was not supported. Participants successfully combined careers with family responsibilities and had partners in similar careers. Participants' partners were supportive. Findings indicate that participants enjoyed their academic careers, especially the freedom to conduct research of their own choosing. While adequately prepared for their roles as researchers and grant writers, they lacked needed formal training in teaching. Further findings indicate they exhibited token behaviors. Although they were highly visible, they attempted to diminish their visibility so as not to pose a threat to male colleagues. They were isolated and did not openly align themselves with feminist causes. They did not experience sexual harassment nor feel they had been seriously discriminated against in their careers. Participants suffered from concerns about their self-image and feared others would perceive they were hired because of gender rather than competence. While few had or needed same-sex role models while in school they willingly served as role models for students. It was concluded that comprehensive changes in all levels of education are needed if the numbers of girls interested in engineering careers is to increase. Systemic changes in how girls are treated in the classroom and how women faculty are supported once hired are needed if a critical mass of women faculty is to be achieved and their influence felt.

Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, causing one in every five female deaths, and high blood pressure is a precursor to CVD. Approximately half a million people attend the emergency departments with complications arising from substance use, many of which are concerned with cardiovascular events. The higher the number of substances used, the greater the risk of cardiovascular heart diseases; this association is even stronger among women than men. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which women's substance-related behavior impacts high blood pressure, which in turn is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the US. Methods This cross-sectional study used the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine the relationship between having blood pressure and women who smoke and engage in binge drinking. Women who responded yes, yes during pregnancy and were told borderline high or pre-hypertensive to the question of "ever been told by a doctor, nurse or another health professional that you have high blood pressure” were categorized as having high blood pressure. Those who responded no, don’t know/not sure, and refused were considered as not having high blood pressure. Smoking and binge drinking were the two key independent variables for this study. Women were categorized into 4-level smoker status: everyday smoker, someday smoker, former smoker, and non-smoker. Binge drinkers were women who takes four or more drinks on one occasion, with responses being "yes, no or don't know/refused/missing.” A chi-square test for independence was examined to determine the association between having high blood pressure and smoking or binge drinking. Multivariable regression analysis was also performed to account for other factors (such as age, race, educational attainment, income, body mass index and blood cholesterol) potentially associated with high blood pressure among women. Results Approximately 418, 264 individuals responded to the survey items. Among respondents are 227,706 women, who are the study population of interest. The women included in this study are 18-34, 35-64, and above 65 years old. Among the study population, 33% reported having high blood pressure with no record of high blood pressure, amongst 67%. Among women who reported binge drinking, 22.9% reported high blood pressure compared to 34.6% of women who did not binge drink (p= Conclusion This study found that substance abuse was not associated with having high blood pressure. It is possible that women with high blood pressure quit or reduced these behaviors due to a high blood pressure diagnosis. Notwithstanding the high prevalence of high blood pressure and substance use, further research is needed to examine this association among women overall and subpopulations at high risk. This research should support prioritizing interventions and informing public health programs.

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