Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Women Leading Education Across the Continents: Overcoming the Barriers

Women Leading Education Across the Continents-Overcoming the Barriers is the third collection of research about and stories of women leading education on every continent in the world. Internationally recognized scholars and practitioners offer a research-based conversation and systematic collaborative inquiry in exploring the status of women in educational leadership. Their work invites global policy development highlighting women's educational leadership as a critical social justice issue. The array of topics this volume includes are gender status and educational leadership, challenges and barriers for women leaders, confronting the barriers, leading in challenging contexts, and deconstructing the discourse on gendered leadership. This compelling book offers food for the intellect and rage for the belly that impels forward the moral imperative of women leading education internationally. Review This edited book presents 25 chapters of the experiences and challenges facing women educational leaders around the world. As the third book in a research series, it serves to invite comparison, draw out lessons and foster community among women leaders in diverse cultures and countries. These chapters highlight enduring challenges women leaders face in educating children while navigating limiting expectations and other barriers. Women Leading Education--Overcoming the Barriers is a critical resource for feminist scholars, advocates and educators worldwide.--Margaret Terry Orr, director, Future School Leaders Academy, Bank Street College of Education, co-author of Preparing Principals for a Changing World This year as we launch our series of educational expeditions Access Water" and on each continent in the coming years, it is inspiring and empowering to read this book. With our team that includes one woman from every continent, Women Leading Education will fuel our flame as we move from one waterway to another.--Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft, educators, lecturers, and explorers This book brings compelling evidence that the so-called "glass ceiling" metaphor is an overly simplistic idea that masks the real complexities and barriers facing women around the world. To understand the cultural, political, social and economic forces and how they intersect to discourage and marginalize women in our educational systems at all levels will convince even the most skeptical reader that there remains a long and protracted struggle ahead. The forms that struggle takes will undoubtedly be shaped by the outline of the chapters in this book.--Fenwick W. English, Professor and Department Chair, Educational Leadership, Teachers College, Ball State University I attended the 2011 Women Leading Education Conference in Volos, Greece while serving as president of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). I was currently a school superintendent and also the third female president in an organization with an almost 150 year history. While at WLE I was able to share my personal leadership perspective, but I never imagined how much I would learn and come to be more curious about. My prior awareness of education issues of women across the continents was limited and the stories from the conference left a lasting mark on my heart and mind. This book is one point of light in the bright WLE beacon because of two important reasons. First it captures the amazing stories of women across the continents and gives their experiences voice. You will be touched by their courage and their conviction. Second, this edition serves as an international compendium of research and rarely does so much information exist in one purposeful location. This is a collection to be read, cherished, and used to drive change. It most certainly is a beacon for anyone interested in educational opportunities of women across the planet and for understanding the impact education has on all of us.--Dr. Patricia Neudecker, PhD, director, administrative leadership