Social workers have long fought to bring diversity, inclusiveness, and economic justice to the communities in which they serve, but for decades the internal practices of the profession have contradicted its public persona, perpetuating myths and misconceptions about women of color and their ability to teach and lead. In these essays African American, Asian American, Latina, Pacific Islander, and Native American women share their experiences working within the field of social work, describing their rise to leadership and their efforts to maintain authority. Emphasizing themes of social change and justice, these narratives make visible the unique challenges faced by leaders and administrators of color, an issue that continues to affect women within the field today. Trading on decades of experience, Halaevalu F. O. Vakalahi and Wilma Peebles-Wilkins choose essays that specifically examine concerns and techniques facilitating the development of women of color as leaders. Their lessons inform future research, policy, and practice and are sure to enhance scholarship on diversity within the profession. There is even a chapter written by a university vice president, who focuses entirely on working within the academy. Altogether, these contributors prove that culturally based paradigms of leadership, historically devalued and suppressed, are crucial to women on the rise.

This is the first textbook to address the specific but polymorphous needs of women of color. With the help of guest authors, Gutierrez and Lewis provide an excellent framework through which social workers can more effectively aid women of color in their ongoing struggle against systemic oppression.

Focuses on Black women’s experiences and expertise in order to advance educational philosophy and provide practical tools for social justice pedagogy. Black Women and Social Justice Education explores Black women’s experiences and expertise in teaching and learning about justice in a range of formal and informal educational settings. Linking historical accounts with groundbreaking contributions by new and rising leaders in the field, it examines, evaluates, establishes, and reinforces Black women’s commitment to social justice in education at all levels. Authors offer resource guides, personal reflections, bibliographies, and best practices for broad use and reference in communities, schools, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Collectively, their work promises to further enrich social justice education (SJE)—a critical pedagogy that combines intersectionality and human rights perspectives—and to deepen our understanding of the impact of SJE innovations on the humanities, social sciences, higher education, school development, and the broader professional world. This volume expands discussions of academic institutions and the communities they were built to serve. Stephanie Y. Evans is Professor and Chair of African American Studies, Africana Women’s Studies, and History at Clark Atlanta University. Her books include Black Women’s Mental Health: Balancing Strength and Vulnerability (coedited with Kanika Bell and Nsenga K. Burton) and African Americans and Community Engagement in Higher Education: Community Service, Service-Learning, and Community-Based Research (coedited with Colette M. Taylor, Michelle R. Dunlap, and DeMond S. Miller), both also published by SUNY Press. Andrea D. Domingue is Assistant Dean of Students for Diversity and Inclusion at Davidson College. Tania D. Mitchell is Associate Professor of Higher Education at the University of Minnesota. She is the coeditor (with Krista M. Soria) of Educating for Citizenship and Social Justice: Practices for Community Engagement at Research Universities.

This book documents the lived experiences of women of color academics who have leveraged their professional positions to challenge the status quo in their scholarship, teaching, service, activism, and leadership. By presenting reflexive work from various vantage points within and outside of the academy, contributors document the cultivation of mentoring relationships, the use of administrative roles to challenge institutional leadership, and more. Through an emphasis on the various ways in which women of color have succeeded in the academy—albeit with setbacks along the way—this volume aims to change the discourse surrounding women of color academics: from a focus on trauma and mere survival to a focus on courage and thriving.

Reflections from below the plantation roof / Menah Pratt-Clarke -- The adobe ceiling over the yellow brick road / Gabriella Gutiérrez y Muhs. -- The labyrinth path of administration : from full professor to senior administrator / Irma McClaurin, Victoria Chou, and Valerie Lee -- A view from the helm : a Black woman's reflection on her chancellorship / Paula Allen-Meares -- Reflections about African-American female leadership in the academy / Menah Pratt-Clarke and Jasmine Parker -- Re-envisioning the academy for women of color / Phyllis Wise -- Reflections about Asian-American female leadership in the academy / Menah Pratt-Clarke -- My climb to the highest rung / Cassandra Manuelito-Kerkvliet -- Reflections about Native American female leadership in the academy / Tanaya Winder and Melissa Leal -- Journeys into leadership : a view from the president's chair / Rusty Barcelo -- Thriving as administrators at America's land grant universities / Waded Cruzado -- Reflections about Latina leadership in the academy / Johanna Maes -- Closing reflections / Menah Pratt-Clarke and Johanna Maes.

Though there has been a rapid increase of women’s representation in law and business, their representation in STEM fields has not been matched. Researchers have revealed that there are several environmental and social barriers including stereotypes, gender bias, and the climate of science and engineering departments in colleges and universities that continue to block women’s progress in STEM. In this book, the authors address the issues that encounter women of color in STEM in higher education.