Women Leaders in the Areas of Higher Education, the Legal Profession and Corporate Boards: Continued Challenges and Opportunities in the United States
9 Socio-Legal Rev. 60 (2013)
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Research Paper No. 2013-13
42 Pages Posted: 26 Jul 2013 Last revised: 1 Oct 2013
Date Written: July 1, 2013
Abstract
Many believe the “woman problem” has been solved, since women are now represented in powerful positions in government, academia, business, and the law. It is true that women today occupy more positions of power than ever; however, these numbers are quite small at the top level, especially for women of color. This article begins with an overview of women in the workforce and their presence in education; and then goes on to review the current data on women in three settings — higher education faculty, the law, and corporate boards. Next, it examines the barriers women encounter in reaching the top positions in their respective fields. Common obstacles women face include: gender stereotypes, the struggles of balancing work and family life, a lack of mentors and mobility. The article concludes with potential solutions to the impediments faced by women.
Keywords: gender equality, gender equity, equal rights, higher education, employment law, employment discrimination
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