This quantitative study aims to investigate the mechanisms for ballot placement of underrepresented groups by examining how ideology and electoral vulnerability affect the ballot placement of ethnic minority women candidates in the case of the election to the Swedish Riksdag in 2018. Four hypotheses for the relationship are set: that the Red-Greenswillputethnicminoritywomencandidates higherupontheirballots;that the Alliance will put ethnic minority women candidates higher up on their ballots; that electoral vulnerability will have a stronger effect on the Red-Greens’ ballot placement of ethnic minority women candidates; that electoral vulnerability will have the same or no effect on the Red-Greens’ and the Alliance’s ballot placement of ethnic minority women candidates. The results show a significant relationship between ideology and ballot placement of ethnic minority women candidates but no effect of electoral vulnerability. The conclusion is therefore that the Red-Greens are more likely to put ethnic minority women higher up on their ballots compared to the Alliance, and that it does not matter if a party belongs to the Red-Greens or the Alliance, because if the party is at risk of electoral defeat the effect of electoral vulnerability on the ballot placement of ethnic minority women candidates will be the same in both blocs.

Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / This study drew attention to the influential role the transformational leadership constructs can play in increasing women representation in decision making structures of the Department of Social Development (DSD). The DSD’s Sekhukhune District in Limpopo Province was used as an area of study. The aim of the study was to investigate the significance of transformational leadership in pursuing gender parity in the DSD’s Sekhukhune District. The study followed an exploratory research design and implemented a qualitative methodology. A total of 10 DSD managers were targeted. Furthermore, a purposive sampling was used and interviews were conducted as the method of data collection. The data collected had been analysed thematically. The results revealed that although there have been improvements of more appointed women managers within the organisation. There were still more women managers than men managers within the organisation. However, most men occupy senior management positions while most women occupy the lower managerial positions. Most managers were not inspired to perform more than they were expected giving the reason that, they lack resources and their efforts often go unrecognised. Most managers found political appointment discouraging towards fair promotions. Nevertheless, there were enough women who possess required leadership skills. Conversely, there were no programmes that support women participation and empowerment in issues relating to gender parity. Leadership training, transformational leadership, provision of resources and salary acceleration were common suggestions to pursue gender parity. The study recommends that the DSD Sekhukhune District leadership should adopt and implement transformational leadership, change political appointment, appoint leaders with relevant qualifications, establishing a functional gender mainstreaming office within the DSD Sekhukhune District, adequate budgetary support and specialised training of staff shall assist in closing the gender parity gap.

Sexual minority women (SMW) demonstrate lower rates of cervical cancer screening than heterosexual women. This is concerning as lesbian and bisexual women tend to engage in higher rates of substance-related cancer risk behaviors, unprotected sex, and tend to have higher body mass indices, all of which are risk factors for cancer development. Another major risk factor, screening avoidance, places SMW at increased risk for the development of high grade cervical lesions in the absence of early detection practices, which is likely to impact overall cervical cancer morbidity in this population. The aim of the present study was to utilize the Health Equity Promotion Model in order to investigate the interplay of medical heterosexism, social and community, behavioral, biological, and social identity/position factors on cervical cancer screening rates in a sample of SMW from a large metro area in the southeastern United States. 145 women who identify as sexual minorities were recruited from local LGBT-friendly venues, events, community organizations, email LISTSERVs, and related social media accounts and were asked to complete a fifteen-minute survey. A series of bivariate correlation, t-test, and multivariate regression analyses were run. Findings from mediation analyses demonstrated that health communication factors mediated the relationship between perceived medical heterosexism and cervical cancer screening outcomes. Further, after accounting for demographic factors, greater provider communication quality, provider trust, eHealth literacy, and ever having an HIV test significantly and differentially predicted cervical cancer screening outcomes in the multivariate models (ps < .05). Findings suggest that health communication factors play an important role in facilitating cervical cancer screenings for SMW, and provider training interventions and policy that focus on reducing medical heterosexism may aid in improving patient-provider relationships in this population.

Less than 1% of minority women receive venture capital funding for technology enterprises. The purpose of the multiple case study was to explore the strategies used by Black female entrepreneurs to obtain venture capital funding for their technology businesses in the United States. The conceptual framework for the study was the social network theory of entrepreneurship. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 5 Black female entrepreneurs who founded technology ventures in the United States. Journaling before and after each interview aided the methodological triangulation, which ensured validation. Yin's data analysis process was used, and the data were reviewed, codes determined, emerging themes noted, and iterative explanation building undertaken. The main themes emerging from the analysis of the data were the participation in pitch competitions, the importance of networks, and communication. The findings may contribute to social change because other minority female, technology entrepreneurs can use the strategies of the participants as a model in their quest to receive venture capital funding. An increase in the number of minority women who receive venture capital funding and engage in high-growth entrepreneurship may result in an improved standard of living for the women and their families. Society could also benefit from a more diverse pool of technological innovations.

A disproportionate number of African American women are at increased risk for uterine fibroid tumors (UF) compared to their Caucasian, Asian, and Hispanic counterparts. Researchers have indicated that women diagnosed with UF can have a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL) when compared to women who do not have a diagnosis of UF. The overall aim of this study was to explore the impact of UF symptoms on the HRQOL of African American women. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed utilizing the revised version of Wilson and Cleary's model of HRQOL. A sample was gathered of 80 participants who were African American women between age 30 and 45 years with a current diagnosis of UF. Linear and multiple hierarchical regressions were performed to determine the relationship among UF symptom severity and HRQOL based on 6 subscales of HRQOL (as measured by the UFS-QOL). There was a statistically significant association between symptom severity, the 6 subscale variables of HRQOL, and employment. No significant associations were observed with age, family history (hx) of UF diagnosis, body mass index, general health perception, overall quality of life, and symptom severity. The social change implication for this study is to provide information that can direct health care providers in the development of health maintenance programs that are sensitive to the needs of African American women diagnosed with UF. In addition it will promote the need for public health professionals and medical organizations to increase the availability of information related to UF symptoms and the impact of UF symptoms on HRQOL among women.

A disproportionate number of African American women are at increased risk for uterine fibroid tumors (UF) compared to their Caucasian, Asian, and Hispanic counterparts. Researchers have indicated that women diagnosed with UF can have a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL) when compared to women who do not have a diagnosis of UF. The overall aim of this study was to explore the impact of UF symptoms on the HRQOL of African American women. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed utilizing the revised version of Wilson and Cleary's model of HRQOL. A sample was gathered of 80 participants who were African American women between age 30 and 45 years with a current diagnosis of UF. Linear and multiple hierarchical regressions were performed to determine the relationship among UF symptom severity and HRQOL based on 6 subscales of HRQOL (as measured by the UFS-QOL). There was a statistically significant association between symptom severity, the 6 subscale variables of HRQOL, and employment. No significant associations were observed with age, family history (hx) of UF diagnosis, body mass index, general health perception, overall quality of life, and symptom severity. The social change implication for this study is to provide information that can direct health care providers in the development of health maintenance programs that are sensitive to the needs of African American women diagnosed with UF. In addition it will promote the need for public health professionals and medical organizations to increase the availability of information related to UF symptoms and the impact of UF symptoms on HRQOL among women.

This thesis explores the inclusion of race as a factor for consideration in the best interest of the child test for custody and access determinations through the lens of Critical Race Theory and Critical Race Feminism. This thesis contributes to the ongoing feminist discussions and debates on the benefits and risks of including race in the best interest of the child test since the death of Bill C-22 An Act to Amend the Divorce Act. Through a review of family law reform and Van de Perre v. Edwards, the leading case to articulate that race is a relevant factor, I will highlight how race has come to be interpreted. Interviews were conducted with women advocates and lawyers who primarily advocated for racialized women and children in custody and access determinations. Their lived experiences of the challenges and struggles that racialized women experience in family law, particularly, the best interest of the child test, assist in providing a counter-story to White mainstream family law discourse.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 2003. / Title from title page screen, viewed October 12, 2005. Dissertation Committee: Roberta Seelinger Trites (chair), Karen Coats, Janice Neuleib. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 217-236) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (Dr. P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-125).

This qualitative collective case study explored how four female Latina teachers in the Central San Joaquin Valley acquired and developed the noncognitive trait of grit. Additionally, this study explored how the manifestation of this noncognitive trait of grit is demonstrated by these teachers with students in their classrooms. Through a series of interviews, and classroom observations with annotated field notes, I examined the life experiences and professional educational background of participants in order to highlight factors that are contributory and fundamental in the underpinnings of how grit developed in each of their lives. I examined and analyzed distinctive traits, specific influences, and behaviors. The theoretical framework developed by Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews and Kelly (2007) provided the background structure to help in understanding the noncognitive trait of grit. This exploration extended current scholarship on grit by exploring one specific cultural and gendered-subset of teachers to aid in the understanding of how grit emerges in teachers deemed exceptional. This qualitative case study addresses the following questions: 1. From the perspective of four female Latina teachers, what is grit? 2. From the perspectives of four female Latina teachers, in what ways has grit been acquired, developed and demonstrated? 3. From the perspective of four female Latina teachers, how has gender and race shaped their experiences in grit? 4. From the perspectives of four female Latina teachers, and as evidenced by student outcomes, how does the trait of grit impact teacher effectiveness?