Black Female Leadership Project, 1986-1987

The purpose of this study was "to understand the nature of black female leadership" in terms of where these "influential women come from", how these women use their power, and of the "impact of the power and leadership experience on black women". The study consisted of 53 African-American women ranging from 33 to 68 years of age. Participants were living and working in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. Most (73%) were employed in the public sector, while the rest (27%) were employed in corporate America. Funded by a Distinguished Fellowship grant from Richard Stockton College, this oral life history study was conducted between 1986 and 1987. Participants provided in-depth life histories which were taped and transcribed. The interview covered such topics as how participants developed in childhood; experiences after leaving the African-American community, professional rise, challenges to participants' positions, struggle for personal happiness, and leadership. Murray Research Archive holds transcripts of audio-taped interviews, as well as the original audiotapes. If a data user quotes any material from a transcript, then the data user may not identify the interviewee. A follow-up study may only be performed with the collaboration of the Contributor.