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The Power of Women's Friendships to Support Educational Leaders' Success and Wellness

The Power of Women's Friendships to Support Educational Leaders' Success and Wellness
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Author(s): Julianne A. Wenner (Clemson University, USA), Meredith Kier (William and Mary, USA), Seema Rivera (Clarkson University, USA)and Shelly Rodriguez (University of Texas at Austin, USA)
Copyright: 2025
Pages: 34
Source title: Empowering Women in Academia: Improving Methods, Practices, and Approaches for Change and Transformation (IMPACT)
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Lolita L. Kincade (SUNY Plattsburgh, USA), Alicia Brossette (University of North Texas at Dallas, USA), Constance Lacy (University of North Texas at Dallas, USA)and Crystal Benjamin (University of North Texas at Dallas, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-8638-5.ch002

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Abstract

This chapter shares the intertwined stories of four women, each holding a Ph.D. in Science Education, who have maintained a close, supportive friendship over the past 15 years. Despite living in different states and working at various institutions, they formed a lasting bond during a doctoral institute, a pivotal time in their academic lives. Over the years, their friendship has provided an essential counterspace to the often isolating and competitive culture of academia. Through annual gatherings and consistent communication, they have supported each other through professional challenges, family responsibilities, and personal struggles. Their narratives illustrate how friendship can challenge the dominant norms of individualism and competition in academia, fostering resilience, solidarity, and mutual growth. This chapter argues that such relationships are not only sources of emotional support but also critical spaces for reimagining what success and well-being look like within academic environments, particularly for women and marginalized groups.

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