Abstracts Womens Studies

Lord, Why Did You Make Me a Black Woman?: Examining the Intersection of Race and Gender for Black Women Senior-Level Leaders at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Historically White Institutions

by Joshlyn D. Thomas

The representation of Black women in senior leadership positions within higher education hovers at a dismal 5.8% (Wilder et al., 2013). Though Black women's degree attainment has increased substantially in comparison to other racial groups (NCES, n.d.), they are not recruited and supported in these roles (Jackson & Harris, 2007), especially in both Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Historically White Institutions. Consequently, the women who are successful in obtaining administrative and executive positions share experiences that illuminate a system still plagued with sexism and racism (Cooper, 2020). Using Black Feminist Thought, Intersectionality, and Misogynoir as frameworks, as well as a critical narrative inquiry, I explored the intersection of race and gender for Black women in senior-level leadership roles at HBCUs and HWIs. A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. November 8, 2022. Black women, gender, higher education, race, senior-level leadership Cameron Beatty, Professor Directing Dissertation; Rhea Lathan, University Representative; Tamara Bertrand Jones, Committee Member; Ayesha Khurshid, Committee Member.