Hispanic women in leadership: A multicase study

There is limited research on and for women in leadership positions. Few of these studies include minorities, and even fewer include Hispanics. The purpose for conducting this qualitative multicase study was to explore six Hispanic women leaders\u27 perceptions of the opportunities and barriers they faced in their career progressions. In this study, I identified leadership characteristics that enabled the women to succeed in non-traditional careers predominately held by men. By gathering information about the origin of support for these women, we can look at ways of increasing support for others. By examining the barriers these women face, we can better educate persons on how to recognize and address barriers. This information may also assist women in dealing with discrimination more effectively and create greater equality for women. Triangulated resources used consisted of participant observation, review of numerous related written materials, and multiple in-depth interviews of six Hispanic women in leadership. The women hold positions in the areas of education, politics and business. The findings of this study have implications for aspiring Hispanic women leaders, leadership training programs, those wishing to become professors in educational leadership, and affirmative action policy makers