History of Black Women Deans, College Alumnae Organizations, and Activism

(Hardback)

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This historical account uncovers the lived experiences and history of pioneering Black women deans.

Few scholars have studied the origins of Black deans of women and college graduates who were at the intersection of race and gender. Ashla C. Hill Roseboros History of Black Women Deans, College Alumnae Organizations, and Activism fills this gap by sharing the lived experiences of pioneering administrators at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and college alumnae who overcame barriers by forming their own professional circles. She investigates newspaper reports, articles, and artifacts from 1910 to the 1960s to provide insights on how these educated women advocated for higher education standards through the collective work of awarding scholarships to students, strategy meetings, and enrichment programs. This sisterhood emphasized how they took creative approaches to gain members, improve education, and promote equality. Past successes and struggles of these trailblazers illuminate how progress was made despite limitations and setbacks. This book points to the path taken by these mentoring leaders who sacrificed for the greater good of their communities. Leaders today can be inspired through these writings to continue being beacons of hope for greater equity towards a just society.

Reviews

History of Black Women Deans, College Alumnae Organizations, and Activism offers an important historical context of the strategies utilized within their leadership trajectory. This book shares important knowledge in how former women deans such as Lucy Diggs Sloe utilized the deanship as a space of activism and social change. It also illuminates the challenges of racism and sexism encountered by Black women leaders and gives insight into how activism through social organizations of the day began to create positive change for Black women aspiring to leadership. * Katherine H. Betts, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Indiana University, USA *

Author Bio

Ashla C. Hill Roseboro is associate professor of communications media at Alabama State University, USA.