The Challenges and Responsibilities of White Women in Leadership

Abstract

Drawing on a larger study that initiated a dialogue about race and inclusion, the author examined the challenges and responsibilities of White women in higher education leadership through the lens of critical race theory. Though there is a need for women, from a feminist perspective, to confront the trend that higher education leadership continues to be White and male, there is more so a need for White women to interrogate the normative and oppressive nature of Whiteness. Because Whiteness is said to be overlooked within the narrative of feminism, White women are accused of perpetuating racism. Yet, very little research explores what happens when White women, particularly in higher education leadership, interrogate Whiteness. Contributing to the bodies of research on feminism, racism, Whiteness, and leadership within the context of higher education, the author presents strategies that could address the polarizing effects of feminism; discusses implications that go beyond institutional type; and provides directions for future research.