“From Minx to Mammy: Racialized Perceptions of Gender and Age in the American Workplace”

• In Event: 20851 - White Collar, Blue Collar, Raced Collars: Racialized Work Spaces

Abstract

This study examines how race, gender, and age intersect to shape the workplace experiences of women of color in corporate settings. While much attention has been given to the barriers imposed by the glass ceiling and the concrete ceiling (Hymowitz & Schellhardt, 1986; Bell & Nkomo, 2001), this research extends the discussion by incorporating age as a crucial factor in career progression. Through qualitative analysis of the lived experiences of women of color aged 25 to 60 in finance, higher education, and healthcare, this study explores how perceptions shift over time, limiting career mobility at different stages of professional life.

Author

• Tamara Ogle, Portland State University