Female Role Models Research Articles

Empowering Narratives: Exploring the Impact of Kotak General Insurance's 'Drive Like a Lady' Campaign on Shifting Perceptions of Female Empowerment

Amid India's evolving societal landscape, this study delves into the profound influence of Kotak General Insurance's 'Drive Like A Lady' campaign on reshaping perceptions of female empowerment and aspirations. Central to the campaign is the portrayal of Surekha Yadav, India's first female loco pilot, whose journey embodies resilience and determination. By spotlighting Yadav's story and celebrating women who drive change, the campaign aims to instill empowerment and possibility among its audience. The literature review section provides a thorough examination of relevant literature surrounding gender stereotypes, biases, and the role of advocacy campaigns in driving social change. The methodology section outlines the research approach adopted to analyze the 'Drive Like A Lady' campaign. This section discusses the theoretical underpinnings guiding the analysis and the conceptual framework employed. Drawing on theories such as the Hypodermic Theory and the Habermas Public Sphere Theory, it offers a conceptual framework for understanding the transformative potential of initiatives like the 'Drive Like A Lady' campaign in challenging ingrained societal norms and fostering inclusivity. It emphasizes the use of qualitative analysis, and content analysis, to examine the campaign's effectiveness in reshaping cultural narratives surrounding female achievement and ambition. In the results section, the findings of the study are presented, highlighting the campaign's effectiveness in challenging biased stereotypes and inspiring young girls to pursue ambitious goals. Through content analysis and exploration of existing literature, the research uncovers how the campaign's storytelling strategies and celebration of female role models foster a more inclusive and aspirational societal narrative. Additionally, the study examines the campaign's resonance across diverse demographic groups, probing its ability to surpass cultural boundaries and resonate with individuals from varied socio-economic backgrounds. Finally, the conclusion synthesizes the key insights from the study, emphasizing the significant impact of the 'Drive Like A Lady' campaign as a catalyst for reshaping cultural norms and empowering the next generation of women to dream big and defy societal limitations. It underscores the transformative power of advocacy campaigns in driving social change and recommends further research to explore the long-term implications of such initiatives on gender equality in India.

Short-time mentoring – enhancing female medical students’ intentions toward surgical careers

ABSTRACT Background Women pursuing a career in surgery or related disciplines are still in the minority, despite the fact that women compose at least half of the medical student population in most Western countries. Thus, recruiting and retaining female surgeons remains an important challenge to meet the need for surgeons and increase the quality of care. The participations were female medical students between their third and fifth academic year. In this study, we applied the well-established psychological theory of planned behavior (TPB) which suggests that the intention to perform a behavior (e.g. pursuing a career in surgery) is the most critical and immediate predictor of performing the behavior. We investigated whether a two-part short-mentoring seminar significantly increases students’ intention to pursue a career in a surgical or related specialty after graduation. Method The mentoring and role-model seminar was conducted at 2 days for 90 minutes by six inspiring female role models with a remarkable career in surgical or related disciplines. Participants (N = 57) filled in an online survey before (T0) and after the seminar (T1). A pre-post comparison of central TPB concept attitude towards the behavior, 2) occupational self-efficacy and 3) social norm) was conducted using a paired sampled t-test. A follow-up survey was administered 12 months later (T2). Results The mentoring seminar positively impacted female students’ attitude towards a career in a surgical specialty. Female students reported a significantly increased positive attitude (p < .001) and significantly higher self-efficacy expectations (p < .001) towards a surgical career after participating in the mentoring seminar. Regarding their career intention after the seminar, female students declared a significantly higher intention to pursue a career in a surgical specialty after graduating (p < .001) and this effect seems to be sustainable after 1 year. Conclusion For the first time we could show that short-mentoring and demonstrating role models in a seminar surrounding has a significant impact on female medical student decision´s to pursue a career in a surgery speciality. This concept may be a practical and efficient concept to refine the gender disparity in surgery and related disciplines.

The Impact of Role Models on Women’s Self-Selection into Competitive Environments

In this paper, we show that competitive female role models reduce women’s perceived stereotype threat and increase their willingness to compete. Competitive male role models have the opposite effect: they reduce women’s willingness to compete, and the gender gap in tournament entry increases. Results are strongest for the best performing women who would benefit most from competing. Role models have no impact on low performing women, and on men.

Exploration of Girls’ Role Models: Are there Female STEM Role Models in Sight?

This study explores the presence and impact of female role models in Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) education due to the underrepresentation of girls in STEM fields. The objective is to assess girls’ role models, particularly the role they play in their interest and in a career choice in STEM.A survey was distributed through an online panel and 546 valid answers from girls aged 14-20 in Germany were received. The analysis links to social cognitive theory and revealed that immediate family members (50,1%), musicians, actors and artists (12,4%), and media influencers (9,6%) were the top role model categories. Male role models dominated in teachers, entrepreneurs, and friends, while female role models were prominent in the family category. Female scientists and entrepreneurs who could serve as STEM role models, were found to be underrepresented. The study also showed that girls with STEM occupational role models in their immediate surroundings were more likely to have an interest in STEM subjects.

The Soccer-Playing Unicorn – Mitigating Gender Bias in AI-Created STEM Teaching Materials

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly being used in education for various purposes. In particular, AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, with their user-friendly interfaces are being explored in education to co-create teaching materials, provide advice and guidance to educators, simulate classroom scenarios, and offer personalized recommendations to students on how to study and approach subjects. With all the enthusiasm for these new opportunities, one should be aware of the risks due to potential biases in the generated content or the responses. These biases can be associated with factors such as gender, race, religion, or political orientation. As a consequence, educators who are using AI chatbots to (co-)create teaching materials need to have the knowledge and the strategies to mitigate such biases. This paper focuses on one particular type of bias, namely gender bias, and on specific disciplines, namely Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Gender bias in STEM education is particularly problematic because it may reinforce existing stereotypes about girls and women in STEM and contribute to their underrepresentation in STEM fields. To raise awareness of these risks of gender bias in AI-co-created STEM teaching materials, this paper identifies risks of gender bias by analysing potential usage patterns of AI chatbots by educators when creating teaching materials. An example of such a risk is if the AI chatbot generates educational materials that primarily portray men as STEM professionals and underrepresent women. This would exacerbate the lack of female role models in STEM. Therefore, strategies are developed that educators can apply to mitigate these risks. These strategies will be demonstrated using practical examples. This will allow them to break the vicious cycle of perpetuating stereotypes in STEM education. In addition, these examples demonstrate how AI chatbots can be used to make STEM education more inclusive, which may include co-creating educational materials tailored to individual interests and learning styles.

Perspectives From Students and Faculty on How Women Achieve Leadership Roles in Academic Medicine: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.

The glass ceiling in academic medicine has resulted in lower pay and fewer career advancement opportunities for women. Creating change relies on preparing early-career women for positions of leadership, but most leadership programs focus on faculty, not trainees. The present exploratory qualitative study investigates how to prepare women medical students to be leaders in academic medicine. Focus groups with medical students and faculty who identify as women were conducted at an academic medical center in the West. A total of 25 individuals (10 students and 15 faculty) participated. Recordings of focus groups were transcribed and coded using thematic analysis until saturation of themes was achieved. Codes were organized into three themes: obstacles, support systems, and self-presentation. Obstacles identified included the subthemes microaggressions, macroaggressions, a lack of female role models in leadership, and personal characteristics such as the ability to self-promote and remain resilient. Support systems included sponsorship, allyship, mentorship, networking, and gender-specific role modeling subthemes. Self-presentation involved learning behaviors for demonstrating leadership and exuding confidence, being strategic about career moves, resiliency, and navigating social norms. The key themes of obstacles, support systems, and self-presentation are targets for systemic and individualistic improvement in leadership development.

339 Gender Concordance and Publication Productivity Within Neurosurgical Focus: A Ten-Year Review

INTRODUCTION: The “glass ceiling” phenomenon describes how female representation in leadership positions has remained stagnant despite an increase in the number of trainees. Mentorship from female role models has been hypothesized to influence academic productivity. To our knowledge, trends in gender representation among editorial boards of neurosurgical journals remain undescribed. Neurosurgical Focus publishes monthly issues which are peer-reviewed by an invited group of topic editors based on their expertise in the field. METHODS: Publicly available data were collected from the Journal of Neurosurgery: Focus website from January 2013 to December 2022. Themes were dichotomized into technical or non-technical themes. Female gender concordant publications were defined as publications having females in both first and senior authorship. Gender was assessed using pronouns based on authors’ university profile and an artificial intelligence platform in case of ambiguity. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: The number of female editors and gender concordant authors increased over time (P &lt; 0.05). Women accounted for =50% of the editorial board on non-technical themes relevant to education and gender diversity. Having a female senior author was associated with higher publication productivity for original research and review articles among female authors (OR = 13.73, 95% CI = 1.74-394.31, P &lt; 0.05). The odds of having female gender concordant publications were higher with a female editor (OR = 4.05, 95% CI= 1.38-12.92, P &lt; 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Mentorship and representation among editorial boards play a crucial role in enhancing academic productivity among women. This paper provides evidence that Neurosurgical Focus increased female gender concordant publications by increasing female editors over time because of their efforts to increase female representation. Initiatives to increase female representation and mentorship will help overcome the glass ceiling phenomenon.

Gender inequities in ENT: Insights from women speakers at American Head and Neck Society meetings.

Gender inequity exists across national speakers at American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) conferences. This qualitative study explores potential causes of this disparity by surveying women invited to speak at AHNS between 2007 and 2019 and examining advice, resources, and meaningful actions from "those who made it." An internet search for contact information for the 131 female AHNS was performed. An electronic survey was distributed via email. Deidentified qualitative responses were coded by two independent researchers into themes. Themes characterize barriers that female head and neck (HN) surgeons face and describe ways to mitigate the impact of these for the next generation. Contact information for 73/131 female AHNS speakers was obtained via internet search. Email responses were received from 22/73 (30%). Of those, respondents specialized in otolaryngology (n = 17), medical oncology (n = 2), palliative care (n = 1), vascular surgery (n = 1), and thoracic surgical oncology (n = 1). All speakers worked in academic settings at varying stages of their career with 81.8% (18/22) of respondents fellowship-trained (primarily HN surgery). Concerns about gender disparity in ENT were grouped into the following themes: (1) recruiting women to ENT, (2) removing barriers to career advancement, (3) diversifying ENT's national presence, and (4) improving the broader culture of HN surgery. Respondents emphasized a need for diversifying leadership, early exposure to otolaryngology in medical school, and connecting students with female role models. Outstanding research, involvement at annual meetings, and committee membership were consistently deemed important for establishing a national presence in the field. Implicit bias, "boys clubs" culture, and burdensome childcare responsibilities were described as barriers to career advancement. While encouraging more women to enter otolaryngology residencies, increasing the number female role models and establishing strong mentoring networks may help to mitigate challenges. Meaningful progress requires the efforts of both male and female allies within the specialty. Simple solutions, such as educating on implicit bias, removing demographics from applications, and eliminating hidden penalties for maternity leave, may help improve diversity and mitigate barriers to career progression for underrepresented groups within ENT.

Role Models in Movies: The Impact of Queen of Katwe on Students’ Educational Attainment

Abstract This paper presents experimental evidence on the impact of a role model on secondary school students’ exam performance in Uganda. Students were individually randomized to see either a movie featuring a female role model, Queen of Katwe, or to see a placebo movie. I find that treatment with the role model immediately before an important national exam leads to students performing better on their exams, particularly in math, with effects largest for female students. Female students exposed to the role model are more likely to remain in education in subsequent years, closing the gender gap with their male peers.

Approaches to developing community: A survey of the perspectives of American female undergraduate prospective band directors

Within the field of American secondary school wind band teaching, women have been historically and persistently underrepresented, making it important to consider ways to (1) expand pre-service teachers’ opportunities to engage with successful female band directors, and (2) to explore undergraduate women’s insights into becoming female band directors themselves. The purpose of this survey-based study was to explore the perceptions of American female-identifying collegiate music education majors ( N = 32) regarding the American school-based wind band teaching profession and their experiences within an intensive, one day, community-building event for female band directors. Results of the survey and subsequent analysis revealed a lack of female band director role models under whom participants had studied, a significant positive correlation between participants’ confidence in their ability to succeed in the role and their level of motivation for doing so, and a moderately positive perception of belief in their ability to balance potential future parenthood with their career. Thematic analysis of written responses revealed participants’ gender-specific concerns about entering the band directing profession and their takeaways from the day-long event. Implications are provided, including suggestions for pre-service teacher education, future research, and the development of other such events aimed at developing community for female-identifying band directors.

Bertolt Brecht’s “Niobes”: Example, Interruption, and Model

This article discusses how Bertolt Brecht employed the ancient figure of Niobe as a model for several of his female characters. The examples examined here are his adaptation of Antigone, where the protagonist compares herself to Niobe, as in the classic Sophocles drama; the allusions by Polly Peachum in the Pirate Jenny song in the stage version of The Threepenny Opera; and the dialectical interaction between Mother Courage and her mute daughter Kattrin in Mother Courage and Her Children. Each such “likeness” encompasses a strong emotional involvement or empathy with the Trauer, or sorrow, of the ancient figure of Niobe, who was petrified for boasting of her many children to Leto, and whose offspring then killed all of her children. At the same time, Brecht also allows his characters to resist and even protest against their ancient female role model. On the basis of these examples, the article discusses Brecht’s modern version of the Trauerspiel, based on Walter Benjamin’s ideas; his development of the notion of the model and the model-book with Niobe as a model for the modelling process itself; and, finally, the importance of the notion of the Halt, a stop or interruption, for this modelling process. The article suggests that the close interdependence between Brecht’s oeuvre and the ideas of his close friend Walter Benjamin concerning the Trauerspiel reveals the modelling aspect of many of Brecht’s female characters as well as his multifaceted, critical approach to tragedy.

An Analysis on Women Enrolment in Higher Education in India

There is still a gender enrolment disparity in India’s higher education system, despite notable progress. Using a combination of methods for thorough analysis, this study explores the complex interactions between socio-economic, cultural, and institutional barriers preventing women from pursuing higher education chances. Further, this study relies on the issues of Girls are disproportionately affected by ongoing poverty, a lack of family support, and uneven access to high-quality secondary school, which undermines their ambitions for further education. Women students in higher education are marginalized and denied academic opportunities due to inadequate infrastructure, a dearth of gender-sensitive teaching techniques, and a dearth of female role models. Not only is closing the gender gap in higher education morally required, but it is also a calculated investment in the future of India. India can unleash the enormous potential of its female population and move the country toward a more egalitarian and prosperous future by removing the complex hurdles found in this study and putting in place efficient interventions at the individual, and institutional. The simple statistical tools adopted and it was observed from the results that the annual average percentage rate was positive in all the levels of education. Finally, it is particularly noted that the majority of the women were enrolled in Ph.D after integrated and PG Diploma programmes.

“Are they like me?”: Assessing college math students’ academic and personal similarity perceptions of female peer role models

“Are they like me?”: Assessing college math students’ academic and personal similarity perceptions of female peer role models

“Was Sappho für ein Weib gewesen …”

Abstract In this article the author analyses the characterization of Sibylla Schwarz as “pommersche Sappho”. The aim is to carve out basic motivic structures as well as peculiarities of a Sapphic persona in poetry, on which Sibylla Schwarz was able to draw on in her writing and to which she is determined by her contemporaries and recipients when she is established in the literary world via the honorary title “Sappho”. In doing so, it is shown that sapphic writing is bound to certain expectations, such as musicality and high quality of the poems, reflection on strong emotions, a – partly concealed – inclusion of female homoerotic undertones, and the thematisation of the possibility of being driven to death by the power of passion as well as the unbearable bittersweetness of love. In her poems Schwarz shows her knowledge of Sappho as a female role model for women writers, but does not define her poet persona primarily or emphatically in the succession of the Greek lyric poetess Sappho.

Model Revision of Female Identity and Mythical Images in Modern Woman Poets’ Fairy Tales: Anne Sexton and Carol Ann Duffy

This article explores the approaches that modern women poets use in their revised mythical notions to expose and implicate the inappropriate effects of patriarchal norms and conventions on women and gender inequality. This study addresses Anne Sexton and Carol Ann Duffy as modern woman poets who redefine archetypal myths and revise fairy tales to narrate the stories of those who have been left out of historical and cultural narratives within female characters. Sexton and Duffy shake up gender stereotypes with determined humorous plot complexities, allowing women to shed the secondary classic roles assigned to them. The female characters in the poems recapture their power through literary reconstruction, confronting male dominance and instilling guilt for feeling worthless. These modern women poets focus on what the female characters in their fairy tales think, feel, react, and decide what they look like in appearance, which is not employed in these writing norms in common fairy tales. Sexton and Duffy are the innovative versions of fairy tales, in which the poets not only satirize the patriarchal society in which they grew up but also reject the female stereotype that their upbringing assumed. This study examines the feminist messages that Sexton and Duffy's fairy tales intended to convey to reveal the poets' position on feminism and their relationship with the female role models and male characters they portray in their fairy tales. The findings confirm that these revising approaches and changing writing fairy tale norms can aid in creating a female identity and generate a critical return to the patriarchy’s despotic discourse.

Bridging the Gender Gap in STEM Fields: Empowering Women for Economic and Social Development in Malaysia

The study’s primary goal is to understand and address gender disparities in STEM education and careers in Malaysia. The methodology entails an in-depth review and analysis of existing policies, academic literature, and statistical data from previous reports. The study reveals that the gender discrepancy in STEM education and careers has significant ramifications, not just for women’s economic empowerment, but also for the overall economic growth and development of the country. Also, research has demonstrated that the involvement of women in STEM education and professions is essential for promoting innovation, stimulating economic development, and propelling social advancement. However, despite efforts to advance gender equality in education and the job market, Malaysian women still face numerous obstacles when it comes to pursuing STEM education and employment. These obstacles include the underrepresentation of women in the workplace, the absence of female role models, a family-friendly environment, and societal norms and gender stereotypes that discourage women from entering traditionally male-dominated professions. This study emphasizes the importance of improving these issues to encourage female participation in STEM fields by empowering them for economic and social development.

Latinas’ Identity Exploration in STEM During COVID-19

Abstract Latina students’ challenges as a minoritized group in Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) programs call for a deeper understanding of their social and academic identities, which are crucial aspects in successfully navigating rigorous STEM programs. Through a qualitative approach, seven Latina college students were interviewed at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) during COVID-19, to gain insight into their experiences as they develop their social and academic identities. The findings of the study revealed three key factors influencing Latinas’ social and science identity formation: 1) culture and gender experiences prior to and during the pandemic; 2) the ongoing search for a science identity through female role models despite the inadequate representation of Latina STEM faculty; and 3) the participants’ self-advocacy to achieve academic success. Lastly, the continued challenges the students experienced related to the global pandemic, rigorous STEM academic programs, and the need for a coherent science identity were explored.

From Queens to Rebel Girls? Biographies about Women within Italian Children’s Literature

Abstract: The article explores Italian biography for young readers focusing on the representation of women’s lives that have been overshadowed in the history of the literary genre. The analysis addresses both pedagogical and literary aspects, investigating which female role models are portrayed and the evolution of biographical writing style. In tracing the development of biographies about women within Italian children’s literature and its pedagogical and cultural background, five historical shifts are outlined: (1) the persistence of women’s moralistic portrayals in the 1960s, (2) the conflicting impact of feminist movements on the biographies of the 1970s, (3) the emergence of biographical picturebooks and a psychologically nuanced writing style in the 1980s, (4) the emphasis on rediscovering marginalized female figures at the beginning of the new century, and (5) contemporary trends of celebrating diverse female role models and the critical debate around gender representation. The analysis points out today’s challenges for biographies as hybrid nonfiction— not only interweaving different role models and styles, but also questioning their anthropocentric perspective.

The Role of Female Physicians in Psychosomatic Medicine: Opportunities and Challenges.

Female physicians are in some cases preferred by patients due to their sex-related characteristics such as softness and empathy. Psychosomatic medicine presents a compelling working environment due to its holistic approach. This brief review synthesizes the challenges encountered by female physicians in psychosomatic medicine and outlines potential strategies for overcoming these barriers. The presence of female role models may constitute a crucial advancement in this process. There exists a pressing demand for specialized clinical and scientific programs in psychosomatic medicine at both national and international levels. Such programs, offered by universities and ministries, as well as comprehensive training initiatives, are indispensable in fostering the next generation of females in psychosomatics. Leading journals can lend their support by publishing special issues dedicated to female physicians. Strengthening female physicians throughout all positions in psychosomatic medicine can contribute ultimately to the improvement of patient care.

Advancing African Women in Academia: Charting Modern Solutions

There is a gross underrepresentation of women in teaching, research, and leadership in higher education institutions (HEIs) globally. Despite the fact that a few studies have reported some gains in gender balance in HEIs, there are still glaring inequities of women in higher education, particularly in Africa. These challenges include but are not limited to, barriers to academic progression and career development, intersections of race, gender and motherhood, and identity and belonging. While several authors have revealed these gender gaps, it is valuable to understand the lived experiences of woman in academia on the African continent. African women encounter multifaceted challenges in academia. Structural barriers such as limited access to education, gender bias, and cultural norms that prioritise domestic responsibilities over career pursuits hinder their advancement (Founou et al., 2023). Additionally, the scarcity of female role models and mentors exacerbates feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome, further deterring women from pursuing academic careers. These challenges contribute to the underrepresentation of African women in leadership positions and fields traditionally dominated by men.