Are We Not Women of Color? Asian American Women Charter School Principals Leading for Social Justice

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: At the Intersection of Race and Gender: New Horizons in Educational Research

Abstract

Although researchers believe that female and minority school leaders play a vital role, little is known how Asian American women school administrators lead for social justice. In addition, little research documented how leaders in charter schools successfully promote social justice. Guided by the intersectionality theory and the synergistic leadership model, this study drew on retrospective accounts of Asian American women principals in urban charter schools to understand the ways in which they navigate race and gender stereotypes to advocate educational justice of students. Our analysis shows that the administrators’ efforts to create conditions of caring, sympathy, and solidarity were evident and yet subject to continuous dialogues introduced by external forces of the political climate regarding racial minorities and/or illegal immigrants.

Authors

• JIA Grace LIANG, Kansas State University

• Yongmei Ni, University of Utah