Anti-Blackness in the academy has the potential to negatively impact relationships between Black Women, which can ultimately influence Black women's retention and career advancement. Through an analysis of existing theories, including workplace friendships, Black feminist thought, and critical race theory, the authors first interrogate how…

This qualitative research study explored how the lifelong narrative identities of women educational leaders within the context of power structures have shaped the leaders they are today. Through narrative inquiry methodology and theoretical frameworks of narrative identity and feminist poststructuralism, six executive-level women leaders in the…

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.- James BaldwinBlack women have always been in the forefront leading change and supporting the attainment of education in the academy. They have been the greatest hidden figures. This study strives to nuance the experiences of Black women presidents at…

This dissertation explores the internal cultures of (14) United States higher education boards from the perspectives of (18) Women of Color trustees. Guided by Critical Race Feminism, Intersectionality, and Organizational Culture Theory, the author develops a framework to study the impact of race "and" gender on historically…

This study sought to examine the underlying issues and perceptions of sitting male and female superintendents in order to add to the current literature on feminism in the K-12 school setting. Specifically, this study sought to examine the perceptions of currently employed superintendents about how they experienced the intersection of gender and…

Black women who serve in administrative leadership roles in higher education do so amidst conflicting experiences wherein they are positioned to exercise authority while being subjugated to conditions, socially and institutionally, that uphold racism and sexism. The manifestations and effects of gender and race-based oppression on Black women…

This multiple case study examined the personal and professional journeys of three women athletic directors at NCAA Division-I institutions. From the data analysis, five primary themes emerged: Macro and micro aggressions; complex situational identities; liberal feminism; mentorship; and persistence. As they shared their journeys, the participants…

Women leaders report facing many systemic inequalities such as unequal family responsibilities, differing and unfair expectations of them as leaders, backbiting from colleagues and subordinates, and a lack of support and encouragement. This qualitative research study's conceptual framework hinges on feminist narrative analysis research, focusing…

This paper looks at the stories shared by Latina school leaders regarding their ascendance to the superintendency in New Mexico. The social, political, and cultural supports and challenges that they experienced along the way to their top positions in school leadership are discussed including the impact of gender barriers, power differentials, the…

The study examines the personal, social, and organizational barriers facing women in university leadership positions in South Asia, building on the cases of Malaysia and Bangladesh. We discussed the topic through the lens of interactionist feminist theory. Semi-structured interviews with 20 female deans from 12 public universities in Malaysia and…

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to explore the attributes associated with the leadership of women superintendents and how they overcome isolation in a predominantly male-dominated field. Through a feminist lens, I explored the manner in which women serve as superintendents, particularly, the manner in which they…

Black women have made tremendous progress in higher education. However, despite increases in enrollment and graduation, research regarding Black women's experiences in senior-level positions in the student affairs field is limited. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of seven Black women in senior-level positions…

The American workforce is currently experiencing an increased level of diversity in comparison to previous decades due to augmented representation of people of different races, socio-economic backgrounds and genders across sectors (Warner, 2014). However, there is one variable that has remained largely unchanged, the underrepresentation of African…

This qualitative study explores how women leaders work as activists for other women through their administrative positions within higher education. Overall, participants shared their complicated relationships with the words "feminist" and "activist" and described how they engage in social change for women and other…

This feminist-centered, narrative study focuses on the troubling gender gaps in higher education leadership by exploring the career paths and lived experiences of current women administrators at a large, public land-grant institution. This research identifies specific supports and barriers women face throughout their careers that might enable or…