Examining the Unique Experiences of African American Women in Academia and Medicine: Their Journeys

• In Event: People and Policy: Counternarratives of Challenges and Support

Abstract

This inquiry examined the unique experiences of African American women who pursued and successfully completed terminal degrees. Narratives were written by seven African American women. Five participants obtained terminal degrees as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), one participant obtained a terminal degree as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and one obtained a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree. Underrepresented African American women in Academia and Medicine provided personal stories of their journey from adversity to goal-attainment. Using the thematic approach to analyze and interpret patterns of meaning expressed through the narratives, unique and similar themes were identified.
Though their terminal degrees (PhD, MD and EdD) were different, African American women had unique and similar experiences on their journey to Academia and Medicine.

Authors

• Roslin E. Growe, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

• Dr. Sophia J Woodard, ASHANTI Consulting

• Camalyn M. Woodard, Atlanta VA Medical Center