{"id":{"repo_id":"uiuc","oai_identifier":"oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/129449"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/uiuc/oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/129449","repository":{"repo_id":"uiuc","name":"University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign","base_url":"https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh"},"display":{"title":"What we really need is a femininomenon: a phenomenological study of Midwestern women superintendents in K-12 education through a feminist lens","abstract":"Submission original under an indefinite embargo labeled 'Open Access'. The submission was exported from vireo on 2025-10-19 without embargo terms","abstract_html":"Submission original under an indefinite embargo labeled 'Open Access'. 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The study employs a phenomenology approach, featuring semistructured interviews with 14 Midwestern women superintendents, to uncover the essence of their experiences and the ways they exercise agency and resistance in their roles. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of women’s leadership in K–12 education, highlighting the need for a “femininomenon”—a phenomenon that centers and celebrates women’s experiences, perspectives, and leadership styles. This study highlights the systemic gendered barriers women superintendents face, including implicit bias, limited mentorship access, and societal expectations, reinforcing the need for structural change in educational leadership. Despite these challenges, participants exhibited resilience through self-advocacy, mentorship, and feminist leadership approaches, emphasizing collaboration, inclusivity, and professional networks to navigate and reshape their roles. 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