Women Faculty, Professional Identity, and Generational Disposition

Abstract

In an exploratory qualitative study, the generational dispositions of tenured women faculty from the Boomer Generation were examined. As pioneers and now senior members in the academic profession in the Golden Era of American higher education, they exist in a common historical location characterized by cultural forces and events that helped to shape each woman’s academic career. Their generational location is steeped in the dominant narratives of gender, class, race and sexuality, feminism, and their identification as academic professionals. This study examines the generational dispositions of tenured Boomer women faculty on professional identity and career, generational changes, and feminist positionality.