Carol Jarvis Carol4.Jarvis@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Knowledge Exchange, Public and Business Engagement and Innovation
Jenna Pandeli Jenna.Pandeli@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Organisation Studies
Contributors
Hugo Gaggiott
Editor
Isis Arlene Díaz-Carrión
Editor
Abstract
The notion of vulnerability characterises the separated nature of cultural contexts, uniting women through the pernicious need for coping mechanisms. Confronting the ‘double jeopardy’ of race and gender (Beal, 2008), female minorities are at highest risk of social and professional exclusion (Dixon and Telles, 2017). In this chapter we explore the experience of Black female trailblazers working in male-dominated sectors, paying attention to negative connotations arising from underrepresentation. Our research highlights identity adaptation actions (‘how should I speak?’; ‘how should I look?’; ‘you’re not like me’) and trailblazing and space-making actions (‘showing up as your authentic self’; ‘changing the Black narrative’; mentoring and community’; ‘the weight of trailblazing’). In the chapter we argue that the trailblazing these women are doing is fundamental to improving the experiences of Black women in organisations, whilst acknowledging the heavy price they pay for paving the way and the support needed to amplify their unheard voices.
Online Publication Date
Jan 16, 2025
Publication Date
2025
Deposit Date
Mar 12, 2025
Publicly Available Date
Jul 17, 2026
Publisher
Routledge
Peer Reviewed
Peer Reviewed
Pages
28-40
Series Title
Routledge Studies in Management, Organizations and Society
Book Title
Women, Organizations and Vulnerability: Global Archetypes
