MIAMI UNIVERSITY The Graduate School Certificate for Approving the Dissertation We hereby approve the Dissertation of Lara Chatman Candidate for the Degree: Doctor of Philosophy ____________________________________ Dr. Denise Taliaferro-Baszile, Dissertation Director ____________________________________ Dr. Lisa Weems, Reader ____________________________________ Dr. Sally Lloyd, Reader ____________________________________ Dr. Gwendolyn Etter-Lewis, Graduate School Representative ABSTRACT KEEPING MY SISTAS THROUGH THE STORM: COUNTERSTORIES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN GRADUATE STUDENTS SEEKING GOOD MENTORSHIP IN TROUBLING SPACES AND PLACES by Lara Chatman The existing research on African American women graduate students on predominantly White college campuses often results in quantitative data that suggests that African American women are more successful at completing graduate degrees than their male counterparts. This suggestion often leads to a dominant narrative of success that fails to recognize the challenges African American women graduate students face as well as the sacrifices they make in order to graduate. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the challenges that African American women graduate students face in their pursuit of advanced degrees on predominantly White college campuses and to also identify what kinds of mentorship African American women graduate students seek, and find helpful or unhelpful as they navigate through stated challenges. Black Feminist Epistemology (Collins, 2000) and Critical Race Feminism (Wing, 2003) with a specific focus on intersectionality were used to structure the study. The experiences of 8 African American women who attended predominantly White universities for advanced degrees were recorded in interviews and personal journals. The data reflected 4 dominate themes, which included facing various forms of discouragement, lack of mentorship, painful perseverance, and racegender awareness. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends an alternative model of mentorship for African American women graduate students pursuing degrees at predominantly White universities. KEEPING MY SISTAS THROUGH THE STORM: COUNTERSTORIES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN GRADUATE STUDENTS SEEKING GOOD MENTORSHIP IN TROUBLING SPACES AND PLACES A DISSERTATION Submitted to the Faculty of Miami University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Educational Leadership by Lara Chatman Miami University Oxford, Ohio 2011 Dissertation Director: Dr. Denise Taliaferro-Baszile © LARA CHATMAN 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication .................................................................................................................v Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................vi Chapter 1: Introduction..............................................................................................1 My Storm .......................................................................................................3 Statement of Problem.....................................................................................7 Purpose of Study............................................................................................8 Significance of the Study...............................................................................9 Organization of Dissertation..........................................................................10 Chapter 2: Literature Review.....................................................................................12 African American Women Graduate Students on Predominantly White Campuses ...........................................................................................12 Mentorship: Possibilities and Limitations for African American Women Graduate Students............................................................19 What is a mentor/mentorship/mentoring?..........................................19 The Struggle of Mentorship for African American Women Graduate Students .............................................................................21 Summary........................................................................................................23 Chapter 3: Research Design & Methodology ...........................................................24 Theoretical Frameworks ................................................................................25 Black Feminist Epistemology............................................................25 Critical Race Feminism......................................................................27 Intersectionality (Race and Gender) .................................................28 Methodology..................................................................................................31 Participant Selection ..........................................................................31 iii Data Collection ..................................................................................34 Role of Researcher.............................................................................36 Data Analysis.....................................................................................37 Chapter 4: Uncensored Stories...................................................................................40 Chapter 5: Emergent Themes.....................................................................................63 Discouragement .............................................................................................63 Lack of Mentorship........................................................................................72 Painful Perseverance......................................................................................77 RaceGender Awareness .................................................................................83 Chapter 6: Discussion, Implications & Conclusion ..................................................88 References: ................................................................................................................97 Appendices: ...............................................................................................................107 Appendix A: Letter of Participation .............................................................107 Appendix B: Informed Consent Document ...................................................109 Appendix C: Participant Questions................................................................110 Appendix D: Writing Prompt for Diary.........................................................112 iv DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to Diamond DiamonteTaz Mania Diva (my loyal dog) and Tiera Danielle Wilkins & Kayla Symone Wilkins (my adorable nieces). v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I just can't give up now I've come too far from where I started from Nobody told me the road would be easy and I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me (Mary, Mary, 2000) Mary Mary lyrics help me to deal with the frustration and countless days and nights of just being tired and wanting to throw in the towel. I was too stubborn to do that so I would sing the aforementioned verse from the song, Can’t Give Up Now to help me complete this expedition or what I jokingly tell people the pledging process of the P.H.D. The Hard Way!!!! I first must thank God because only he knew how to handle me and my crying out to him out of frustration. He also knew who to send my way with those words of encouragement or just a joke. He also knew who to prepare to deal with me specifically during this process. I would like to thank my family, specifically, my mother, Claudette for all the motherly encouragement. I would like to thank my G-Pa for pushing me beyond my abilities to reach for the highest stars. I would like to thank my sister for being proud of her little sister. Hugs and kisses to my nieces Tiera & Kayla. Doggie treats to my loyal and dedicated dog Diamond. Special thanks to Anthony & Jenn. I thank all my family & friends for everything, R.I.P. Barbara. I give a special thank you to my committee members, Dr. Taliaferro-Baszile, Dr. Weems, Dr. Lloyd, and Dr, Etter-Lewis for being the best team of support. I give a special thank you to my Sistahs in the Struggle: Ariel, Jameika, Dionne, Lamessa, Monique, Erika, Racquel, Valerie, LuCretia, Shicago, and Shelia for being such a great support during this expedition. I would also like to thank Dr. Thea Berry, Dr. Bryan Samuel and Dr. Jhan Berry for all your encouragement and support. Thank you, to my partner, Nate. It’s been rocky and only God knows what is next. I’m (WE) ready!! I would also like to thank all of my participants, your voices have power! I give thanks to myself for not quitting when the storm was raging in my life. This special acknowledge is one that is bittersweet, but it has to be done. It’s bitter because I feel like this is a farewell letter. It’s sweet because I have finished and vi this person had a huge part of this overall process. I know my doctoral experience would have been horrible if I had not built a relationship with Dr. T-Basz (Chair/Advisor). You have inspired me in so many ways that I don’t know where to begin telling you. Thanks for helping me understand this process and all it entails. Only God, you and I know what this journey has truly been for us. You have been beyond an advisor, mentor, or friend, you have been a SISTA! You took me under your wing like family with