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Legitimacy and Collegial Relationships for a Woman of Color in the Academy

Women Thriving in Academia

ISBN: 978-1-83982-229-2, eISBN: 978-1-83982-226-1

Publication date: 26 April 2021

Abstract

Over the last two decades, the academy has made positive strides toward gender equality across its academic and administrative functions. However, the structural discriminatory constructions of the academy as a workplace for women of color persist, including geographic, remuneration, promotion, tenure appointments, and research support (Marwell, Rosenfeld, & Spillerman, 1979). In South Africa, a country with a historical heritage of racial and gender discrimination, the experiences of women of color in business schools are amplified in relationships with students, white male-dominated big business organizations, peers, and colleagues. Subliminal and overt questioning of the academic legitimacy of women of color and, by inference, the education quality of Previously White Institutions that hire women of color is exclusionary. This autoethnographic narrative describes lived experiences of questioned professional “legitimacy” that impact career progression and collegial relationships. I also reflect on practical approaches and tools that have been effective in enabling professional thriving in spite of the persistent challenges.

Keywords

Citation

Mthimunye-Kekana, Z. (2021), "Legitimacy and Collegial Relationships for a Woman of Color in the Academy", Mahat, M. (Ed.) Women Thriving in Academia (Surviving and Thriving in Academia), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 33-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83982-226-120211003

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021 Zukiswa Mthimunye-Kekana. Published by Emerald Publishing under an exclusive licence