Perspective: Sistas In Science – Cracking the Glass Ceiling

Abstract

In this perspective, we describe our experi­ence as women of color scientists from diverse backgrounds and similar struggles embarking upon the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute-funded program called PRIDE (Programs to Increase Diversity among Underrepresented Minorities En­gaged in Health-Related Research). Under the leadership of our mentor and friend, Betty Pace, MD, a renowned and successful African American physician-scientist, the PRIDE Program was designed to address the difficulties experienced by junior-level minority investigators in establishing inde­pendent research programs and negotiating tenure and full professor status at academic institutions. The strength of PRIDE’s innova­tive formula was pairing us with external senior mentors and, importantly, allowing us to serve as peer mentors to each other. We believe this “Sister’s Keeper” paradigm is one solution for women to overcome their limitations and extend understand­ings and best practices worldwide for science, medicine, and global health. Ethn Dis. 2018;28(4):575-578; doi:10.18865/ ed.28.4.575.