Hidden in Plain Sight

Women in Educational Leadership

Pamela T. Barber-Freeman, Pamela Barber-Freeman, Donald Collins and Laurette B. Foster

• Publisher: Myers Education Press
• Year: 2026
• Print ISBN:
  9781975507312
• eBook ISBN:
  9781975507336
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Higher Education

Hidden in Plain Sight: Women in Educational Leadership is an essential resource that examines the experiences, challenges, and achievements of women leading in higher education. Written for current and aspiring women academic leaders, it provides the tools, insights, and support needed to navigate this complex terrain successfully.

Hidden in Plain Sight addresses a striking paradox: while many accomplished women hold academic leadership positions, they often remain invisible within their own institutions. Despite occupying roles of authority, women leaders frequently find themselves overlooked, unrecognized, and unheard. This contradiction exposes the gap between institutional claims that leadership is gender-neutral and the reality women face daily in academic settings. Drawing on demographic data, statistical trends, and evidence-based practices, this textbook offers practical guidance grounded in real experience. Readers will find case studies, personal anecdotes, and actionable strategies for advancing in academic leadership while maintaining personal integrity and well-being. The book explores various leadership approaches and identifies common pitfalls, equipping readers with knowledge to navigate challenges effectively.

Hidden in Plain Sight serves as both mirror and map—reflecting the realities women leaders experience while charting pathways forward. It empowers current leaders to advocate for themselves and their institutions while inspiring the next generation to pursue academic leadership with eyes wide open and strategies firmly in hand. This is the guidebook for women determined to lead authentically, effectively, and sustainably in higher education. The book is written about and for women in leadership positions, and for women interested in educational leadership within the academy. It will also be of interest to college, university and public libraries; individuals including scholars in the discipline; and it can serve as a critical textbook in a variety of Leadership classes in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Perfect for courses such as: Women and Leadership; Higher Education Administration; Gender Studies in Education; Educational Leadership and Policy; Sociology of Higher Education; Feminist Theory and Practice; Women's Studies Capstone Seminar; Organizational Behavior in Education; Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education; Professional Development for Graduate Students

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Halftitle page
• Series page
• Title page
• Copyright
• Special Thanks
• Contents
• Forward
• Preface
• Chapter 1 Hidden in History
• Chapter 2 Hidden Barriers and Challenges
• Chapter 3 Hidden Languages
• Chapter 4 Hidden Politics
• Chapter 5 Hidden Pitfalls
• Chapter 6 Hidden but Obvious Differences
• Chapter 7 Hidden Pain
• Appendix
• Case Study One: Evolving Leadership Identity—A Black Woman’s Journey in Higher Education Administration
• Case Study Two: Unseen and Unspoken—Hidden Barriers for Women Leaders in Higher Education
• Case Study Three: Hidden Pitfalls—Navigating the Unseen Challenges of Women’s Leadership in Higher Education
• Case Study Four: The Weight of Being Interim—The Hidden Pain of Unrecognized Leadership
• About the Author
• Index