The Science of Community: What Anthropology Can Teach Us About Connection, Belonging, and Growth
Most of you may know me as the Head of Marketing of our beloved CCWomen, but, like all of us, I live many other lives outside of this role. One of my favorites is being a semi self-proclaimed anthropologist. I hold a B.A. and M.A. in anthropology and have found that my career in marketing is substantially supported by my academic background in the study of people and culture. Watching our community grow and thrive over the past few years has been satisfying from a professional perspective but has also caused my anthro brain to begin to turn once more.
I find myself viewing our community from the lens of social science; hypothesizing on the reasons why communities, particularly for those within corporate environments, seem to be growing as a source of professional—and sometimes personal—belonging and connection, making way for people who participate in these communities to thrive under previously stifling conditions.
Why community matters
The term community can be defined in many ways, but at its base, it is “a unified body of individuals” (Merriam-Webster). We are all a part of numerous different communities, professional and personal: our families, friend groups, favorite coffee shops, even the neighbors in a local garden. All of these are communities because they bring together people who share a common interest or characteristic.
So what makes community so important to humans as a species? Initially, community started as a necessity for survival. Strength in numbers meant protection, hunting success, shared child care, and better chances at farming. In the modern era, community is equally vital, just in a different way. Today, we rely on our communities to give us space to be understood, to problem-solve, to learn new skills, and even to decompress from the stressors of daily life.
Just as early humans thrived in groups for survival, professionals today thrive in communities that offer resources, insight, and belonging—CCWomen being a prime example. CCWomen feels so natural in its existence because there was a base need for support from a large enough group of individuals. Once they were connected, they began to thrive, and the community began to grow.
As CCWomen Editor in Chief, Shiwon Oh, says, “community is at the core of our operations.”
The science of community and belonging
Communities have been around for a very—and I mean very—long time. Early humans’ survival was contingent on forming groups. In today’s world, communities remain just as important, providing identity, belonging, and mutual support.
From an anthropological perspective, communities are powerful sources of connection:
“The benefits of community are vast and multifaceted, encompassing social, professional, cultural, health, economic, and environmental advantages. Whether you’re seeking networking opportunities, professional growth, cultural exchange, improved health, economic savings, or environmental sustainability, being part of a community offers immense value” (TMH, 2024).
This isn’t just theory. At CCWomen, we see these benefits in action every day. From mentorship connections to job postings to simple celebrations of wins, our members thrive by creating a sense of kinship and shared identity.
Beyond the feel-good moments, community also enables problem-solving and collective knowledge. When we find others who have walked similar paths, we gain access not only to their wisdom but also to a collective memory of experiences. This not only gives us hope—a light at the end of the tunnel—but also creates a knowledge base future members can rely on.
Who knows? One day, you may find yourself mentoring someone through a challenge you once faced, passing along both your own insights and those of the women who guided you.
CCWomen is working to expand this collective knowledge. With the upcoming launch of our Discussion Forum, members will have access to the same depth of information and storytelling that has made our Summits and Forums so impactful, no matter where they are. And as that knowledge deepens, smaller niche communities will naturally form within the larger CCWomen network, supporting even more specific goals and challenges.
The ingredients of a thriving community
“A thriving community is one where people are able to access and enjoy such basic needs along with opportunities for growth and success" (Lesorogal et al., 2020).
Communities flourish when they combine accessibility with shared values and opportunities for growth. Simply creating a space for like-minded peers isn’t enough. Thriving communities need:
- Open dialogue that fosters knowledge sharing
- Accessibility that leads to inclusiveness
- Shared goals and experiences that fuel problem-solving
- Involvement and activity that empower members to lead and grow
This is why communities like CCWomen are so vital. By maintaining accessible tools and resources, we hope to ensure that anyone searching for belonging can find it here — or at the very least, draw from our knowledge base to build or discover a community that is the right fit for them.
Our new Discussion Forum is a step toward this vision: an open, inclusive space for dialogue and storytelling that strengthens the bonds of our collective.
Closing reflections
The term community may sound simple, but what it represents is deep and rooted in human well-being. At CCWomen, we hope you find a stage for your voice, a mentor or mentee, or simply the direction you need for your next chapter.
Just as humans have always relied on community to survive, we rely on it now to grow. CCWomen is living proof of that enduring truth.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
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Toward a Livable Life: A 21st Century Agenda for Social Work. 2019. Oxford University Press. Edited by Mark Robert Rank. Chapter 9, Building Healthy, Diverse, and Thriving Communities. Authors Carolyn Lesorogol, Ana A. Baumann, Amy Eyler, Molly W. Metzger, Rodrigo S. Reis, and Rachel G. Tabak. 9780190691066. https://books.google.com/books?id=VFvBDwAAQBAJ
