Women and women of color in leadership: Complexity, identity, and intersectionality.

Abstract

This article describes the challenges that women and women of color face in their quest to achieve and perform in leadership roles in work settings. We discuss the barriers that women encounter and specifically address the dimensions of gender and race and their impact on leadership. We identify the factors associated with gender evaluations of leaders and the stereotypes and other challenges faced by White women and women of color. We use ideas concerning identity and the intersection of multiple identities to understand the way in which gender mediates and shapes the experience of women in the workplace. We conclude with suggestions for research and theory development that may more fully capture the complex experience of women who serve as leaders.

Failure is not an option for Black women: Effects of organizational performance on leaders with single versus dual-subordinate identities

“…Moreover, those leaders whose characteristics are inconsistent with leader typicality are less easily categorized as leaders and are evaluated unfavorably when compared to leaders who possess high leader typicality (Foti, Fraser, & Lord, 1982;Foti & Lord, 1987;Lord, DeVader, & Alliger, 1986;Phillips, 1984;Scott & Brown, 2006). This double jeopardy perspective is most keenly supported by the extreme under-representation of Black women in leader and executive positions (Bell & Nkomo, 2001;Blake, 1999;Parker & ogilvie, 1996;Sanchez-Hucles & Davis, 2010).…”

Intentional Leadership Planning and Development: The Collective Responsibility to Educate More Social Work Leaders

“…With the diversity in the workforce, particularly in terms of the growing numbers of women of color interested in leadership positions (Sanchez-Hucles & Davis, 2010), there is a need to diversify the pool of leadership and administration through breaking systemic barriers, extensive coaching, and proper education and professional development. In all of these endeavors to prepare culturally and linguistically competent leaders, schools of social work have a major role given their foundation in values, ethics, advocacy, promotion of equity, respect for diversity, and social justice.…”

Intergroup anxiety, cultural sensitivity and socio-cultural diverse leaders’ effectiveness

“…Ayman & Korabik, 2010;Chin, 2009Chin, , 2010Eagly & Carli, 2007;Fassinger et al, 2010;Lupano Perugini, 2011;Sanchez-Hucles & Davis, 2010;).…”

“…The above indicates that a different perspective is being drawn in leadership matters in which it is frequent to find women, people from other nationalities, ethnicities, and cultural and religious groups, striving to occupy the highest work positions (Sanchez-Hucles & Davis;. All this has also been favored by macro-contextual situations that, in recent times, have boosted policies that promote equity and equality not only in ethnic and cultural matters, but also in the sense of finding equal opportunities for people with disabilities and different sexual orientations; for instance, Argentina's enactment of egalitarian civil union (among people from the same gender).…”