Women Leading Education across the Continents

This book brings compelling evidence that the so-called “glass ceiling” metaphor is an overly simplistic idea that masks the real complexities and barriers facing women around the world. To understand the cultural, political, social and economic forces and how they intersect to discourage and marginalize women in our educational systems at all levels will convince even the most skeptical reader that there remains a long and protracted struggle ahead. The forms that struggle takes will undoubtedly be shaped by the outline of the chapters in this book. -- Fenwick W. English, R. Wendell Eaves Sr. Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Women Leading Education Across the Continents: Overcoming the Barriers is an outstanding collection of research from top scholars writing from various perspectives. They explore women's experiences in formal and informal leadership positions, while also examining women’s experiences in leadership preparation programs. Considered as a whole, the book takes a critical yet constructive look at the past and brings readers up to the present—but the real contribution here is the authors' and editors' insights into possibilities for improved research and practice for women who lead in education. I highly recommend this important book for all scholars and practitioners of educational leadership. -- Dr. Jeffrey S. Brooks, professor of educational leadership at Monash University and author of “Black School, White School: Racism and Educational (Mis)Leadership.”
In far too many corners of the world, the most serious of all social injustice, in and out of education, is that which relegates the place of women and girls below the status of men. Unfortunately, the policies, theories, and practices dominating the field of educational leadership have contributed to these inequities and social injustices. The truths that women’s (and men’s) voices tell in this book transcend the struggles of today; and in so doing, anticipate how we might move from the business of education to more effectively begin addressing the challenges of freedom, social justice, and equity around the world. Each section and chapter deconstructs the field of educational leadership through systematic analysis. The book is a thorough critique while still celebrating the progress of women as individual educational leaders. To me, historical and contemporary facts validate feminism in documenting that women lead institutions as well as, if not better than men. As long as this truth is not a material fact for all of us everywhere, though, then the policies, theories, and practices in our field cannot be deemed to be valid. -- Ira Bogotch, professor, College of Education, Florida Atlantic University
Despite some progress in recent years, women in educational leadership continue to face numerous barriers. In this volume 40 international scholars take a close look at the still persistent challenges and barriers, and discuss how they can be confronted and hopefully overcome. Let us hope that the conference results displayed in this captivating publication will help shed more light on the topic and inspire more people to engage themselves in bringing female educational leadership forward. -- Sabine Doering-Manteuffel, president and professor of European Ethnology at the University of Augsburg, Germany
The emergence of outstanding women leaders continues to strengthen public education, which is why I recommend this book—not only to those in education but the business community at large. Experts discuss barriers facing women, but as stated in the first chapter, these barriers “are not insurmountable.” Our country was founded on seizing opportunities to grow and expand. While education is outpacing the business world in terms of creating leadership positions for women, this book focuses on the critical need to grow and expand career ladders for everyone, and narrow the gender-leadership gap in our profession. -- Daniel A. Domenech, Executive Director, American Association of School Administrators
In this important new collection of essays we are reminded why educating women is so critical to the advancement of society.  The insights and analysis shared in these chapters help us to see that by treating gender equity and women's rights issues as human rights that all of us should be concerned about, genuine social progress can be achieved.  This book will serve as an invaluable resource to educators, policymakers and anyone concerned about using education as a force for social progress.   -- Pedro A. Noguera Ph.D, distinguished professor of education UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies
This year as we launch our series of educational expeditions "Access Water” and on each continent in the coming years, it is inspiring and empowering to read this book. With our team that includes one woman from every continent, Women Leading Education will fuel our flame as we move from one waterway to another. -- Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft, educators, lecturers, and explorers
Women Leading Education Across the Continents—Overcoming the Barriers promises to be one of the most influential books in the field of educational leadership. The focus of the book—a global perspective of the theory and the work of women in educational leadership—is timely and much needed. Collectively and individually the chapters will make important contributions to the conversations about the multi-faceted roles of women leaders in their particular educational and social contexts and how not only their work, but their theorizing as women leaders helps to enhance our knowledge base as we work towards a more socially just educational system across continents. -- Linda C. Tillman, Ph.D., professor emerita, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
It is both heartening and sobering to greet this third book from Women Leading in Education. It is heartening because it represents the widening research base of scholars dedicated to equity for women in educational leadership across the world. It is also heartening to see the range and variety of contexts researched and the growth and development of nuanced and sophisticated analysis allowing for multiple realities. What is sobering is the evidence that under-representation of women in educational leadership is still the norm and that the barriers of balancing family and work responsibilities, tradition and culture which identify leadership as a male activity and the lip service paid to equity and equal opportunities persist. This book and the research that it represents are such a vital and welcome contribution to the progress towards gender equity and social justice in education throughout the world. -- Marianne Coleman, Emeritus Reader in Educational Leadership, University College London Institute of Education, United Kingdom
A topic as important, complex and controversial as women in leadership has long needed a volume like this one that brings together a comprehensive collection of research, theory, and cases.  Readers who want to learn about the state of the art will find a rich and varied collection of authors who take the conversation well beyond the North American silo in which it is sometimes encapsulated. -- Lee Bolman, Marion Bloch/Missouri Chair in Leadership, University of Missouri-Kansas City
I attended the 2011 Women Leading Education Conference in Volos, Greece while serving as president of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). I was currently a school superintendent and also the third female president in an organization with an almost 150 year history.  While at WLE I was able to share my personal leadership perspective, but I never imagined how much I would learn and come to be more curious about.  My prior awareness of education issues of women across the continents was limited and the stories from the conference left a lasting mark on my heart and mind.   This book is one point of light in the bright WLE beacon because of two important reasons.  First it captures the amazing stories of women across the continents and gives their experiences voice. You will be touched by their courage and their conviction.  Second, this edition serves as an international compendium of research and rarely does so much information exist in one purposeful location.  This is a collection to be read, cherished, and used to drive change.  It most certainly is a beacon for anyone interested in educational opportunities of women across the planet and for understanding the impact education has on all of us.   -- Patricia Neudecker, Oconomowoc Area School District Superintendent, AASA Past President
This compelling book provides new insights through a global perspective. The personal stories as well as the thoughtful research make it clear that education is precious beyond measure for those struggling around the world to improve themselves and their countries. Recognizing the often-desperate efforts of many females to get an education in many countries and recognizing the often-underdeveloped or overlooked leadership capacity of women leaders in education in every country makes this all the more essential reading for every 21st century educator. Embracing fully the world of talent in both genders has yet to be realized—and a goal worth attaining. Women Leading Education is a testimonial to this goal. Brava to the collective efforts of these splendid authors! -- Sarah Jerome, former president of the American Association of School Administrators and Arlington Heights School District 25 superintendent
This edited book presents 25 chapters of the experiences and challenges facing women educational leaders around the world. As the third book in a research series, it serves to invite comparison, draw out lessons and foster community among women leaders in diverse cultures and countries. These chapters highlight enduring challenges women leaders face in educating children while navigating limiting expectations and other barriers. Women Leading Education—Overcoming the Barriers is a critical resource for feminist scholars, advocates and educators worldwide. -- Margaret Terry Orr, director, Future School Leaders Academy, Bank Street College of Education, co-author of "Preparing Principals for a Changing World"
This important volume illuminates issues that are of singular importance to us all.  It brings together multiple perspectives—intellectual, methodological, political, and human—to render its topic known to us in ways never before.  Most significant, it allows us to relate to its challenge in human terms by raising the voices of those who face that challenge every day. -- Paul LeMahieu, senior vice president for programs, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and graduate faculty, University of Hawaiʽi - Mānoa
As a woman who has for decades worked with educational issues in a city in Brazil, I often face problematic situations that, if analyzed in depth, demonstrate the expression of chauvinist, racist, and sexist ideals in society. Education, however, offers us innovative ways that encourage us to seek social justice. Women Leading Education Across the Continents—Overcoming the Barriers is a flame that cannot be extinguished because in the world there are women who, like us Brazilian women educators, dream and work for equal rights and for a better world. -- Lairce Rodrigues de Aguiar, municipal secretary of education, Mauá city, São Paulo state, Brazil
This book is a valuable addition to the body of work on women’s leadership in the challenging contexts of developed- and developing countries. The personal narratives of courage and hope are all about daring: daring to be, to endure, and to be heard. It is a book full of heart and soul presented as an inspiration for women to seek anchor in their unique powers directing them towards envisioning a brighter future, and finding pathways to become the change only women can lead. A definite must read! -- Rima Karami Akkary, associate professor, Department of Education, American University of Beirut, Lebanon