Perspective: Sistas In Science – Cracking the Glass Ceiling

Abstract

In this perspective, we describe our experi­ence as women of color scientists from diverse backgrounds and similar struggles embarking upon the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute-funded program called PRIDE (Programs to Increase Diversity among Underrepresented Minorities En­gaged in Health-Related Research). Under the leadership of our mentor and friend, Betty Pace, MD, a renowned and successful African American physician-scientist, the PRIDE Program was designed to address the difficulties experienced by junior-level minority investigators in establishing inde­pendent research programs and negotiating tenure and full professor status at academic institutions. The strength of PRIDE’s innova­tive formula was pairing us with external senior mentors and, importantly, allowing us to serve as peer mentors to each other. We believe this “Sister’s Keeper” paradigm is one solution for women to overcome their limitations and extend understand­ings and best practices worldwide for science, medicine, and global health. Ethn Dis. 2018;28(4):575-578; doi:10.18865/ ed.28.4.575.

Peer mentoring to support career advancement among underrepresented minority faculty in the programs to increase diversity among individuals engaged in health-related research (PRIDE)

“…[16][17][18] Members of one PRIDE-FTG cohort published their perspective of the PRIDE-FTG experience and the impact of the peer mentoring program. 9 Similarly, other studies have shown that female peer mentors or women junior faculty who share similar interests increased their ability to accomplish career goals and academic advancement. 19,20 Studies also show that faculty with peer mentoring training, regardless of sex or gender, perceived interactions with other peers as beneficial for career advancement and success.…”

“…Other studies point to the importance of effective communication and diversity in developing peer mentoring relationships among junior faculty members [ 16 – 18 ]. Members of one PRIDE-FTG cohort published their perspective of the PRIDE-FTG experience and the impact of the peer mentoring program [ 9 ]. Similarly, other studies have shown that female peer mentors or women junior faculty who share similar interests increased their ability to accomplish career goals and academic advancement [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…To enhance research mentoring strategies in hematology, an important innovation of the PRIDE-FTG program is the central role of peer mentoring, which has been demonstrated to increase productivity and the efficiency and focus of research projects [ 8 ]. The PRIDE-FTG peer mentoring program improves access to mentoring, facilitates grant writing, and enhances strategies for promotion and tenure [ 9 ]. The success of this peer mentoring program in fostering community among URM faculty participants has been previously reported [ 9 ].…”

“…The PRIDE-FTG peer mentoring program improves access to mentoring, facilitates grant writing, and enhances strategies for promotion and tenure [ 9 ]. The success of this peer mentoring program in fostering community among URM faculty participants has been previously reported [ 9 ]. In this manuscript, we report the innovative strategies by which the PRIDE-FTG peer mentoring program has led to an increase in the skill of mentees and their peer mentors over the course of program participation.…”