UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones 12-1-2012 Identity and Intersectionality for Big City Mayors: A Phenomenological Analysis of Black Women Constance J. Brooks University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations Part of the Political Science Commons, Public Administration Commons, Public Policy Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons, and the Women's Studies Commons Repository Citation Brooks, Constance J., "Identity and Intersectionality for Big City Mayors: A Phenomenological Analysis of Black Women" (2012). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 1710. http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/4332691 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). 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IDENTITY AND INTERSECTIONALITY FOR BIG CITY MAYORS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF BLACK WOMEN by Constance Jeanine Brooks Bachelor of Science Southern Illinois University 1997 Master of Social Work University of Nevada Las Vegas 2004 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs School of Environmental and Public Affairs College of Urban Affairs Graduate College University of Nevada Las Vegas December 2012 Copyright by Constance J. Brooks, 2013 All Rights Reserved THE GRADUATE COLLEGE We recommend the dissertation prepared under our supervision by Constance Jeanine Brooks entitled Identity and Intersectionality for Big City Mayors: A Phenomenological Analysis of Black Women be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs School of Environmental and Public Affairs E. Lee Bernick, Ph.D., Committee Chair Sonya Horsford, Ph.D., Committee Member Christopher Stream, Ph.D., Committee Member Barbara Brents, Ph.D., Graduate College Representative Tom Piechota, Ph.D., Interim Vice President for Research & Dean of the Graduate College December 2012 ii ABSTRACT Identity and Intersectionality for Big City Mayors: A Phenomenological Analysis of Black Women The role of a mayor is integral within local governance. Their leadership and influence directly effectuates outcomes for the cities over which they preside. For big city mayors, their impact extends beyond local government and into the national policy arena. The way an individual demonstrates the role of mayor can be influenced by his\her perception of their own identity. However, within the realm of academic research dedicated to mayoral leadership and African Americans in politics, Black female mayors have largely been ignored. In particular, there are no known attempts at investigating the intersection of race and gender in understanding Black women as mayors. Perceptions of their lived experiences as mayors, relative to their racial and gendered identities is the focus of this research. Through the use of Phenomenological research methods, this qualitative study answers the question, how do Black women big city mayors perceive their racial and gendered identities impacting their experiences as mayor? The participants selected in this study are the only six individuals in our nation’s history to have been the first Black women to serve as mayor in the category of the 100 largest U.S. cities. Face to face, in depth interviews provide data from which to analyze their perceptions. Phenomenological analyses, assists in arriving at thematic conclusions to aide in understanding experiences of identity unique to Black women mayors. The research uncovered nine themes that were then synthesized into three dimensions: Experience, Intersectionality, and Legacy. How each of the six mayors dealt with the issues surrounding the intersection of race and gender was shaped by contextual factors. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is with great humility that I thank all who have been so instrumental in my development as an academician and, as a woman. This dissertation journey has been one of self-discovery, struggle and triumph. The most important thank you is one that I offer daily to God for all that He does to bestow me with gifts such as tenacity, discipline and stick-to-it-iv-ness that kept me from giving up. As many warned me, this truly, was a test of endurance. More essential than those gifts, He constantly surrounded me with angels otherwise known as family, friends, colleagues and the expertise of my dissertation committee. I have the absolute best network of support and I am incredibly grateful. To my chair, Dr. Bernick, I thank you for believing me and believing in my topic. I feel as though we both learned quite a bit. I know my study was a bit unorthodox in comparison to other doctoral students in the program. I thank you for not discouraging me and allowing me to be creative; I know you understood how much this topic meant to me. Thank you also for your endorsement of travel funding for my research. To my committee members, Dr. Horsford, Dr. Brents and Dr. Stream, I thank you for your guidance and for pushing me to produce work that we can all be proud of. To the “Ph.Divas”, Deanna, Carrie, Kevy and Rebecca. I thank you for your camaraderie and for just being there. Deanna, I could not have made it this last semester without someone to share the pain with; we did it! Thank you for the blessing of your help and sisterly inspiration. To Kevy, Carrie and Rebecca, stay the course and let’s keep PhDivas alive; looking forward to your graduations. iv To my parents, Victor and Connie, thank you is just not enough for all that you do. The foundation you have given me and Nicholas; to value the power of education, the example of having pride in everything you do, your unending support and unconditional love, and our family, are my life’s greatest blessings. Thank you for expecting nothing less than the best of me and for being a source comfort when at times, I felt my best wasn’t good enough. Mommy and Daddy, I love you. To Nicholas, not only do I thank you for your loving brotherly support, but thank you for your example; being strong, brave and confident. Little Brother, I am so proud of you. Thank you to my wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family whose love is felt even across the miles. This accomplishment is a reflection of our family. To my grandparents, Ruby, Henry, Viola and Charles, I dedicate this work to you. I miss you greatly, but I know you are with me. Thank you for teaching our family to love the Lord and love each other. To the late Ms. Willie Mae Cross founder of the Crossroads Early Childhood Development Center in East St. Louis, IL, thank you for recognizing my potential early in life and encouraging my intellectual growth. You selflessly taught hundreds of children to love learning and to believe in ourselves; making us shout daily “I will continue to strive for excellence!” Lastly, I thank the research participants of this study; it would not have been possible without you, especially not without your courage and desire to serve. I am inspired and have learned so much from each of you. v TABLE OF CONTENTS APPROVAL PAGE ............................................................................................................ ii ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................v TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................. vii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. ix LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................x CHAPTER1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................1 Background ..............................................................................................................2 Group Consciousness and Breakthrough Elections: Identity and the Role of Race and Gender in Politics.........................................................................2 Statement of Problem ...............................................................................................5 Purpose of Study ......................................................................................................6 Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................7 Research Question ...................................................................................................9 Overarching Research Question ......................................................................9 Research Design.......................................................................................................9