Discourse Analysis of “Women in Business” Associated Business Professional Women

Abstract

In this article, we analyze the “business women” speeches, according to their life stories related to Business Professional Women (BPW), the Business Women Association, a network with worldwide presence that represents women who are dedicated to business activity or who work as self-employed professionals. The aim of the analysis is to raise some points of reflection on the representation of the woman who is considered a “business woman”, manifested in her speeches. Six women’s stories were analyzed according to four discursive elements ─ lexical selection, figurative, thematic and semantics pathways ─, allowing a plot outline of events and relationships that legitimize the “business woman” reached position. Although the stories are quite distinct considering the origin, size and area of operation of those women, it is interesting to verify that the meanings attributed to professional success usually appear linked to moments of extreme difficulty and great achievements. Thus, suffering and overcoming characterize two antagonistic figurative pathways constantly illustrated by the themes of marriage, hope and education. In turn, family conditions, vocational skills and interpersonal relationships are the main semantic pathways that validate these women´s path of success, consolidated triumph through the possibility of joining other women who have been through similar situations throughout their lives.