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Cracking the concrete ceiling: an inquiry into the aspirations, values and actions of African American female 1890 cooperative extension Administrators

Moore, Marjorie
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1202759934

Abstract Details

2000, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Agricultural Education.
The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the challenges African American women administrators face and what they believe contributes to their success in breaking the concrete ceiling within the 1890 Cooperative Extension System (CES). The term concrete ceiling is often known as the glass ceiling, which is defined as those artificial barriers based on attitudinal or organizational bias that prevent qualified individuals from advancing upward in their organization into management level positions. This was a qualitative study designed to determine the perceptions of six African American women administrators in 1890 state-based Cooperative Extension System (CES). A triangulation of qualitative data collection methods and data sources was used to assess what African American women attribute to their success in breaking the concrete ceiling. The methods were unstructured and structured observations, personal interviews, biographical data survey, and two formal member checks. Data for the study were analyzed inductively. The participants had varied work experiences and years of experience, and had prepared themselves through additional leadership trainings for their leadership role. They set records as being "the first female" administrator in the 1890 Cooperative Extension System at their institution. The average age was 51.2, ranging from 43 to 57. Eight broadly defined themes emerged from the data to support the common values, motives, and actions of these women administrators. The themes were barriers, leadership style, work environment, communication, conflict management, decision making, professional development, and success. A "female organizational culture" exists within the 1890 CES. The organization's values, beliefs, and rules influenced every aspect of how things got done. Although their backgrounds varied, there were more similarities than differences among them. The women appeared to be comfortable with their own leadership styles, which encompassed a spirit for teamwork and open lines of communication. Their success was attributed to a solid upbringing, both parents in the home during their early childhood, a strong religious foundation, and parents' strong belief in education. Since they are unique in their positions, they have "reached out" to each other resulting in the formation of an informal support group. They look to each other for problem solving and programming collaborations.
Jo M Jones (Advisor)
133 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Moore, M. (2000). Cracking the concrete ceiling: an inquiry into the aspirations, values and actions of African American female 1890 cooperative extension Administrators [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1202759934

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Moore, Marjorie. Cracking the concrete ceiling: an inquiry into the aspirations, values and actions of African American female 1890 cooperative extension Administrators. 2000. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1202759934.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Moore, Marjorie. "Cracking the concrete ceiling: an inquiry into the aspirations, values and actions of African American female 1890 cooperative extension Administrators." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2000. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1202759934

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1202759934
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© 2000, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.