Women Empowering Women

Abstract

As women in this female-centered profession of social work, we have not effectively advocated for ourselves in terms of leadership in our educational systems. We reexamine the 2008 special section of the Journal of Social Work Education on women in the academy and build on information that suggests social work has lost its momentum to advocate for a more unified feminist voice and standpoint epistemology in our scholarly literature, teaching materials, and leadership models. We reflect on pioneers who helped pave the way, and we question our own involvement as women in surrendering to the dominant voice. We conclude with suggestions for eliminating status-based disparities, unifying our stance as women, and strengthening the feminist voice in leadership, mentorship, and education through the lens of relational-cultural theory.

ORCID

Christina M. Chiarelli-Helminiak

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6980-9380

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Victoria A. Anyikwa

Victoria A. Anyikwa is associate professor at Saint Leo University. Christina M. Chiarelli-Helminiak is assistant professor at West Chester University. Diane M. Hodge is Director of the School of Social Work and professor at Radford University. Rhonda Wells-Wilbon is associate professor at Morgan State University.

Christina M. Chiarelli-Helminiak

Victoria A. Anyikwa is associate professor at Saint Leo University. Christina M. Chiarelli-Helminiak is assistant professor at West Chester University. Diane M. Hodge is Director of the School of Social Work and professor at Radford University. Rhonda Wells-Wilbon is associate professor at Morgan State University.

Diane M. Hodge

Victoria A. Anyikwa is associate professor at Saint Leo University. Christina M. Chiarelli-Helminiak is assistant professor at West Chester University. Diane M. Hodge is Director of the School of Social Work and professor at Radford University. Rhonda Wells-Wilbon is associate professor at Morgan State University.

Rhonda Wells-Wilbon

Victoria A. Anyikwa is associate professor at Saint Leo University. Christina M. Chiarelli-Helminiak is assistant professor at West Chester University. Diane M. Hodge is Director of the School of Social Work and professor at Radford University. Rhonda Wells-Wilbon is associate professor at Morgan State University.