Puerto Rican Women Leaders

Quiet, passive, and victims of patriarchy: these are some of the stereotypes that define Latino women. First, this presentation takes a bold step to evaluate to what extent these stereotypes are true in Puerto Rican women... [ view full abstract ]

Quiet, passive, and victims of patriarchy: these are some of the stereotypes that define Latino women. First, this presentation takes a bold step to evaluate to what extent these stereotypes are true in Puerto Rican women leaders. Secondly, this research tests whether the current models gender and race analysis for ethnic, cultural, and feminist identity development fully explain the Puerto Rican women experience. Oral histories were conducted and analyzed on what it means to be a Puerto Rican woman leader. Five themes emerged from the oral histories: (a) development of an ethnic identity; (b) personal growth and leadership development; (c) leadership style; (d) dealing with wicked problems and taking risks; (e) organizing in a patriarchal ethnic-community. The research findings show that Puerto Rican women leaders experience inequality first-hand and developed a sense of personal obligation to serve their communities. Overall, the participants had vision-driven strategies and leadership styles with a collectivist and egalitarian approach, which challenged patriarchal agendas. The research also demonstrates how current leadership models do not encompass the complex experiences of Puerto Rican women leaders. A model that integrates varying and diverse dimensions of identities is necessary. This research is part of a large-scale effort of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies to document in video form the oral histories of 100 Puerto Ricans who have made a difference in their communities across the United States.

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