From Mammy to Superwoman

Abstract

Black women, like other women of color, find themselves at the intersection of both racism and sexism in the workplace. Due to their unique dual status as racial and gender minorities, they encounter unique and unexplored barriers that inhibit their career as well as leadership development. The goal of this article is to highlight the emerging literature on how images of professional Black women align with their workplace experiences, and to highlight how these experiences may derail their ability to fully reach their potential. The authors also hope to motivate researchers and practitioners to investigate areas of practice that may better support these women's career development.