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Gender And Career Paths, Laura Leatherwood, Mitch Williams

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Although women lead several major universities, including Harvard, the number of women leading the more than 1100 community colleges is not a record in which women-or the community college--can take pride. The current study examines factors affecting the advancement of women to the presidency in the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). The study identifies the unique challenges women face as they advance through the NCCCS, and it goes a step further by examining differences in the perceptions of men and women with regard to personal and institutional barriers to career advancement including the community college presidency. During the past …

Pay It Forward, Laura E. Schulte

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

At our university about 40% of the full-time faculty members are 55 years of age or older, which led me to consider what a difference they could make in this world if, upon retirement, they used their knowledge, skills. and talents to benefit others. Four dimensions that can serve to differentiate effective from ineffective educators and people were used as the framework to profile three individuals and the work they are doing to benefit others. These dimensions include building community, opportunity, and relationships, and developing people as good citizens. For this discussion, I chose to profile individuals who are not …

Female Superintendents And The Professional Victim Syndrome: Preparing Current And Aspiring Superintendents To Cope And Succeed, Walter Polka, Peter Litchka, Sheryl W. Davis

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

This article presents and analyzes the findings of two recent studies related to female school superintendents and their respective experiences with the "professional victim syndrome" and the consequences of their career decisions. Those findings are synthesized with research and literature related to leadership skills and dispositions to identify conceptual patterns of significance for current and aspiring female superintendents. The strategies utilized by female superintendents to cope with the trials and tribulations of contemporary educational leadership as reported in both studies are also reviewed. Suggestions for leadership preparation programs are recommended to promote greater personal and professional success in the superintendency. …

The Great Divide: Women's Experiences With Mentoring, Whitney H. Sherman, Ava J. Muñoz, Anita Pankake

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Aware of the gender disparities that exist in the most coveted school district leadership positions, the researchers undertook the project reported here to uncover themes related to factors that contribute to the low numbers of women in the superintendency and assistant superintendency. Having knowledge and understanding of the factors that contribute to the dearth of women's voices and viewing this knowledge from a feminist framework helped us to understand how gender has played into assumptions and practices related to the superintendency and assistant superintendency. Readers can learn from the stories and experiences of the women reported here and understand practices …

Maya Angelou's Letter To My Daughter, Marilyn L. Grady

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

In preparing an essay on James Bryant Conant, I was struck by the title of his autobiography, My Several Lives: Memoirs of a Social Inventor (1970). The title is apropos in that Conant's career was as a professor of organic chemistry and physics, president of Harvard University from 1933 to 1953, chief civilian administrator of American nuclear research, participant in the Manhattan project, participant in the decision on the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, U.S Ambassador to Germany, and education reform advocate and author. Among the books he wrote were: The American High School Today (1959), Slums and Suburbs (1961), The …

Review Of Through The Labyrinth: The Truth About How Women Become Leaders, Alice H. Eagly And Linda L. Carli, Catherine L. Morgan

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Review of Through The Labyrinth: The Truth About How Women Become Leaders, Alice H. Eagly and Linda L. Carli, Boston, MA. 2007. Harvard Business School Press, 308 pages.

Through the Labyrinth refutes the two-decade old metaphor of the' glass ceiling,' deeming it to be a simplistic explanation of the barriers that prevent women from attaining leadership positions. The authors argue that women's paths toward advancement are indirect and littered with barriers at various stages in their careers, rather than being hindered by a fixed barrier. To them, a more appropriate metaphor is the labyrinth with its elaborate and confusing …

Women In History - Judy Heumann: Giving Voice And Creating Change, Sarah A. Hall

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Judy (Judith E.) Heumann has spent her life as an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. She contracted polio at 18 months old, which caused her lower limbs to become paralyzed. Heumann was not allowed to attend kindergarten at the local public school because she used a wheelchair (Rasky, 1989). From an early age, she learned that discrimination was a natural part of life for a person with a disability (Strohm). She was continually aware of the invisibility of people with disabilities in society. As she explains, "we were not seen as individuals who could make contributions to …

Women Leaders Tell Their Stories, Marilyn L. Grady, Virginia Russell Curley, Barbara Lacost

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

The purpose of this research study was to identify examples of women education leaders at their best. There were two parts to the study procedures. First, the women were asked to write a case story about a time when they were involved in a successful leadership experience. Second, the women were divided into small groups of 5-8. In the small groups, each participant was invited to present her story and allow an opportunity for group participants to ask clarifying questions and to comment on the stories. Each of the stories is presented as told by the participant. A title has …

The Status Of Women Faculty In Four-Year Aviation Higher Education Programs, David C. Ison

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the status of women's participation in full-time, non-engineering aviation baccalaureate programs in the United States. In addition, the involvement of women in academic aviation leadership positions (such as chair, dean, or director) was evaluated. Of 353 full-time aviation faculty members employed at 60 different aviation programs meeting the study's criteria, 36 (10.1 %) were female. Eighty faculty were identified in academic leadership positions, and of these faculty leaders, 8 (10%) were women. These participation rates were found to be slightly higher than those found among the pilot population and in the aviation …

In Their Own Words: Women Chief Academic Officers Discuss The Community College And Their Career Experiences, Brent D. Cejda

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Previous research has shown that a variety of skills and experiences contribute to the career advancement of community college leaders. With the increased representation of women in senior-level positions, this paper answers the call to move beyond male-versus-female comparisons. Through in-depth interviews and follow- up conversations, six female chief academic officers (CAOs) discuss their community college employment, the issues and challenges experienced in obtaining a chief academic officer position, personal development of skills and abilities to be successful in their positions, the recommendations they would share with aspiring and new CAOs, and their future career plans.

Community colleges employ a …

The Finish Line: Doctoral Students And The Great Race, Marilyn L. Grady

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

A book by A. J. Cronin was the source of my career inspiration. Cronin wrote novels set in the life of the university. The university and the work of the professor became my career ambition. It took a number of years to achieve my goal of being a university professor. Today, a major portion of my university work is advising doctoral students. The national data on completion of doctoral programs are grim. I, like many of my colleagues, strive to assist students in completing their doctoral studies. However, despite my efforts to facilitate their studies, I am constantly reminded that …

Voices Of Women In The Field: Creating A Women's Leadership Coalition, Jan Deeds

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Directing the Women's Center for the last ten years at an institution with 22,000 students, 3,000 faculty and staff members, and 9 colleges, I have collaborated with many individuals and programs with a shared interest in women and leadership. I have been appointed to institutional groups charged with monitoring gender equity, such as the Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women. My student staff and I have collaborated with different departments each March to create programs highlighting women's leadership for Women's History Month. I have learned through my role as the gender specialist in Student Involvement within the Student Affairs …

First Things First: Writing Strategies -- Move Close To The Action, Marilyn L. Grady

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Some individuals seem to have an endless array of research and writing ideas; other individuals seem to have few research and writing ideas. For many, finding a way to prime the writing pump is a cause of concern. A frequently heard comment is, "I don't know how to get started." One way to discover writing opportunities is to expand your network. Conferences provide opportunities to meet many individuals from many places. These individuals are sources of research and writing ideas. The conference sessions are replete with writing ideas. The conference bulletin boards, materials tables, and program provide research and writing …

When Sisterly Support Changes To Sabotage, Barbara L. Brock

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Although research on women's leadership extols the benefits of women's professional collaborations and mentorship, one cannot assume that all women are trustworthy and supportive of other women. This qualitative study explored the phenomenon of professional sabotage among women in educational leadership. Results revealed that, although women who engaged in sabotage were proportionately few in number, the damage they inflicted on other women's reputations, careers, and emotional well-being was great. "Cross a man and you struggle, one of you wins, you adjust and go on- or you lie there dead. Cross a woman and the universe is changed, once again, for …

Women In History - Abigail Adams: Life, Accomplishments, And Ideas, Sharon K. Kenan

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Abigail Adams's fame derives in large part from her marriage to the second President of the United States, John Adams (Freidel, 1989). However, she also had attributes of her own that made her an interesting and perennially famous woman in the history of the United States. One of her most enduring legacies is the volume of correspondence she wrote during lonely separations from her husband while he handled the nation's business and left her alone with four children. Firsthand accounts of the period leading up to, during, and following the American Revolution are available through those letters (Withey, 1981). Eventually …

Women Principals Leading Learning At Poverty's Edge, Linda L. Lyman

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

The author profiles two women principals of color who have successfully enhanced student learning in high-poverty schools. In their leadership narratives, the principals address how the complexity of poverty affects their work, how they affirm the worth and dignity of all, how they influence beliefs and attitudes of staff, why they think their schools have been successful in raising student achievement, and their top three recommendations for how school leaders can most effectively improve the education of poor children. The author concludes with the recommendation that we pay attention to what these leaders know.

Introduction

When I moved to Peoria, …

Eight At The Top: A View Inside Public Education, Marcia Morrison

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Review of EIGHT AT THE TOP: A VIEW INSIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION. Gloria L. Johnston, Gwen E. Gross, Rene S. Townsend, Peggy Lynch, Patiricia B. Novotney, Benita Roberts, Lorraine Garey, Libia Gill. Lanham, Maryland and London: Scarecrow Press, 2002. 142 pp. Paper: $17.95. ISBN 0-8108-4215-7.

Everyone loves a good story and Eight at the Top: A View Inside Public Education shares the stories of eight successful female superintendents' personal and professional experiences, insights, and lessons learned. What began as a doctoral dissertation was expanded to ongoing discussions among eight female California superintendents. Their districts varied in size, as did their …

First Things First: Writing Strategies -- Connections And Conversations, Marilyn L. Grady

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

There are many stories told of the manuscripts that languish for lack of a publisher. These are often well-written, important works. One problem is that there is limited space in journals for manuscripts. If you want to be published, you must focus your writing on a publishable topic. How do you know what is publishable? One step is to review the existing journals to see what is being published. Reviewing an entire volume of a journal provides a clear picture ofwhafs hot and what's not. Some journals announce the theme issues for a year. This provides direction too. Individuals who …

Voices Of Women In The Field: What I Learned About Leadership, Linda Walline

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

The most important thing I have learned about leadership development is that it is a continuous process. I recognize that my family, peers, education, job changes, supervisors, and mentors have all influenced how I approach life and how I lead. As a woman of the baby boomer generation, I can celebrate that my peers are some of the first women to win top leadership positions in industry and academia. We have brought forth our own leadership styles and are still learning how to balance work, family, and relaxation. As I reminisced about my career, I recognized that as a new …

The Story Of Women, Marilyn L. Grady

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

In a quest to visit the Statue of Liberty, the incredibly long line of similar adventurers waiting for the experience distracted me. I determined that in order to board the ferry to Liberty Island, in addition to the treacherous line to acquire the ticket, I would need to have two security screenings before I could begin the ascent of the steps. I was not charmed by the idea of investing a day in seeking this bonding experience with the Statue. Besides, I had made the trek many years ago when I was much more enthusiastic and before the advent of …

Walking A Fine Balance: The Life History Of A Woman Principal, Hope-Arlene Fennell

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

This article describes the leadership journey of Kathryn, an educational leader, in relation to current research on women's experiences as educational leaders. This life history was developed as a grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) study. Conducted over a two-year period, the semi-structured interviews used to conduct the study were influenced by Van Manen's (1992) work on life history interviews as a means of studying individuals' lived experiences. The interviews were triangulated through field note observations and document analysis. In addition to exemplifying life history as a research method, a framework for studying leadership development emerged based on the themes: …

Women In History - Lyn Mcnaught: Making A Difference, Mary Ann Welch Bendezu

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Although Lyn McNaught retired in 2004 after more than thirty-five years as a teacher and Director of the Horizons Student Enrichment Program, her legacy of community service remains with her successors and the benefactors who continue to support the growing Horizons educational programs in New Canaan, Connecticut, and around the United States. Horizons was originally designed as an all-day, summer, academic program for disadvantaged city children living in Fairfield County, but it has now expanded to year-round enrichment programs for children through the eighth grade and a high school program that helps Horizons graduates as they prepare for college or …

Women Leaders And Entrepreneurs: Learning From One To Teach The Other, Margareta Smith Knopik Ph.D., Tammy Moerer Ph.D., A.P.R.

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Motivated, visionary, energetic, hard working, creative, tough-minded, responsible, inspiring. Do these words describe leaders or entrepreneurs or both? This paper summarizes research conducted in the fields of leadership and entrepreneurship throughout the past 30 years, attempting to identify similarities and differences between female leaders and entrepreneurs. The purpose is to use what is found to develop recommendations and strategies designed to strengthen leadership and entrepreneurship education. Those of us who teach economics introduce and discuss the factors of production: raw materials, labor, capital, and entrepreneurial ability. The first three are tangible and relatively easy to explain; however, the fourth, entrepreneurial …

Perceptions Of Isolation Among High School Principals, Molly P. Howard, Barbara J. Mallory

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

The high school principal is trained to demonstrate a disposition, or temperament, that is respectful of all persons and sensitive to diverse needs, both within and beyond the school setting. Sergiovanni (2005) describes how the role of principal is changing to encompass increases in responsibility, with expectations from everyone. In this era of accountability, principals must lead large numbers of people toward the common goal of student academic growth. It is rather paradoxical that principals interact with people most of their workday, and yet the old adage, "It's lonesome at the top," applies to the 21st century principal. The principal's …

Women In History - Leta Stetter Hollingworth: Educator And Advocate For Gifted Children, Jan Deeds

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Leta Stetter Hollingworth gave what she had to human beings through her life as a poet, a scholar, a researcher, a feminist, an educational psychologist, and a powerful advocate for gifted children. Leta was born on a homestead near Chadron, Nebraska, on May 25, 1886. Her mother died when she was three years old, so she and her two younger sisters went to live with their maternal grandparents. When Leta was twelve, she and her sisters went to live with their father and stepmother in Valentine, Nebraska. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, …

History: Live At Five And Er, Marilyn L. Grady

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Great sadness, the inability to sit in front of the television and watch history in action, I lament missing every moment of the Democratic candidates in front of the television cameras. The Democrats are providing the best in historical entertainment, live at five, every day. If we only had time to capture each verbal parry and spar. Think of how our political savvy would be enhanced from these lessons brought to us by the Democratic presidential candidates. Each day is a new extravaganza of "pulling out all the stops." My recent favorite was the Hilary Clinton family parade across my …

First Things First: Writing Strategies -- Do It Now, Marilyn L. Grady

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Perhaps you know writers who, "Bat it out and fix it later" as their writing strategy of choice. This method is an excellent means of getting it down while the material is fresh and the flow of writing is brisk. In fact, this is an ideal method of avoiding the practice of over editing the first sentences to avoid writing! One major flaw in this technique is the failure to keep an accurate reference list. "Going back" and "doing it later" are not effective. The details slip away in stacks of papers and mountains of books. Before you begin to …

Slow Path To The Superintendency: Women's Social Networks And Negotiation Skills, Carol B. Montz, Carolyn L. Wanat

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Women superintendents in one Midwestern state participated in this study of their personal demographics, professional qualifications and career paths, and demographics of districts and boards of education that hired them. Participants identified characteristics, skills, and barriers to women seeking superintendencies. Thirty-one of 36 women superintendents completed a survey, with six participating in follow-up interviews. Initial analysis supports existing research on women superintendents. A second analysis of interview data using Babcock and Laschever's (2003) research on women's negotiation skills and social networks as a theoretical framework suggests implications to train and support women aspiring to the superintendency. Historically underrepresented in school …

Voices Of Women In The Field: Blue Chair Moments Of Leadership, Jane Stavem

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Where does leadership begin and where did we ever get the idea that someone would follow us? I have been reflecting on this question a great deal lately, in light of the mountains of books and articles I have accumulated. Apparently, there are many people asking questions about leadership and many more who want to know the answers. Are leaders born or developed? How do great leaders transform failing schools and businesses into successful, thriving operations? What are the magic steps to becoming a great leader? You can read books on many different styles of leadership with promises that guarantee …

Women In History - Pearl Buck: An Advocate For Women And Children, Lynette Watts

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership

Pearl Buck was not just an author of Chinese history; she was a pioneer in many ways. Born a child of Presbyterian missionaries, Buck spent most of her life in China (many times living in dangerous situations because of political uprisings). She wrote more than 70 books (essays, poetry, novels) during her life, and won a Pulitzer Prize (1932) and the Howells Medal (1935) for her second novel, The Good Earth (Conn, 1996). She was a philosophy major at Randolph-Macon Woman's College where she was very active in student government as an advisor of sorts to those who needed guidance …