Spelman College survey reveals barriers, opportunities for women of color

Black Issues in Higher Education, May 19, 2005

ATLANTA

A survey commissioned by Spelman College's Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement (LEADS) reveals that a majority of women of color (66 percent) strongly embrace the differences of women of other ethnicities, but are more likely to feel the differences create barriers (29 percent) rather than opportunities (28 percent) for success in the business world.

The survey uncovered additional findings about views held by women of color:

* When asked to name three well-known people they view as leaders, the majority of women of color surveyed selected both a female and a woman of color. The first choice was talk show host and billionaire Oprah Winfrey (nearly 35 percent), followed by Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. (20 percent). Third place was a tie between Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and President George Bush.

* African-American women were most likely to say they strongly embrace the differences of women of color (73 percent) while Asian women were most likely to say they don't care about the differences (20 percent).

"With a majority of women of color viewing the differences between ethnicities as barriers, we want to show them what they can gain by embracing them while also showing those who see differences as opportunities how they can harness the collective energy for application in education, business and in changing the mindsets of others," said Dr. Jane E. Smith, executive director of LEADS.

The online survey was released in conjunction with the "2005 Women of Color Leadership Conference," held recently in Atlanta to empower and encourage participants to "embrace their differences." Participants included Gwen Ifill, managing editor of Washington Week; Cari M. Dominquez, U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission chair; Irene Natividad, president, Globewomen Inc.; Adela Cepeda, Wyndham International; Carla Harris, managing director, Morgan Stanley; and Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, president of Spelman College.