Abstract
Empowering women in academia matters. As women academics, we need to unleash our leadership power if we want to make a change. Colonization sexualized, subjugated, and dehumanized women and girls and unfortunately continues in the academy today. This is evidenced by pay, hiring, racism, and leadership inequity. This chapter shares the meaning and value of Indigenous worldviews, women movements in social media, and why systemic strategies for sustained equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the academy matters. This is a huge responsibility and commitment. The author's experience working with women academics is that they take their role seriously, they use instinct, they defend when they need to, they are creative, they spend a lot of time on the whys, they use diplomacy and often put their own feelings aside to make sure that equity goals for women are achieved.
TopIntroduction
Leadership Rules: Call to the Wolfpack
If you have a voice, you have influence to spread.
If you have relationships, you have hearts to guide.
If you know young people, you have futures to mold.
If you have privilege, you have power to share.
If you have money, you have support to give.
If you have a ballot, you have policy to shape.
If you have pain, you have empathy to offer.
If you have freedom, you have others to fight for.
If you are alive, you are a leader.
Abby Wombach (2018, p. 81)
For most of my academic journey, women have been absent from positions of power and influence, such as Full Professors, Deans, Presidents, and Chairpersons. Sadly, there were no Maori women in any leadership positions when I was attending Waikato University in Aotearoa, New Zealand between the 1990s to the early 2000s. For me, the only female role models were other female students and a few lecturers who were not in my discipline. Most of the articles, textbooks, theories and conference presenters were white males. Statistics and sciences were viewed as the real authentic academic sources. The only entry points for a woman into any type of leadership position was to join a research team, be on a committee or take up a position on the student council. These extra activities added more work while trying to complete my studies, yet at other times it kept me sane, as I had come to learn very early on, that the whole academic system created barriers for women and women of colour. The statistics sadly, seem to have only slightly improved. According to Crimmins (2019), women’s presence at the senior and executive level positions in academia is disproportionately low, with fewer than 30% in most countries. Not surprising, sexism, social, economic, ethnicity, sexual orientation and health are some of the forms that lead to educational marginalisation and barriers for women (Crimmins, 2019).
This chapter provides insight into my critical reflections of being an academic, Indigenous woman and professor in academia. It discusses three interconnected themes that impacted my academic career. The first is situating self as an Indigenous woman in academia and how this positions my worldview. Secondly, I share about the development of the GirlPowerEffect social media site and how the international Women’s movement shaped my academic activism. Lastly, I provide insights into my journey toward becoming a full Professor and the consequences of speaking out. I hope that the power of sharing my story assists others to navigate their way through academia and at best, dismantles the male hegemony that props up academic institutions.