As noted in the literature and by numerous ethnic and feminist professionals, a paucity of scholarship exists regarding the experiences of Asian American women. What is available have focused on topics such as familial relationships, roles, values, attitudes and beliefs; some unfortunately have perpetuated sexual stereotypes of Asian American women. Research on leadership among Asian American women is even more lacking raising concerns because of the continued growth of the Asian American population, the importance of ethnic specific differences, and the increased advocacy and activism among Asian American feminist leaders.

Consistent with ethnic and multicultural psychology, the team members will utilize a developmental-contextual perspective to understand leadership among Asian American women both within the field of psychology as well as in other disciplines and professions. The developmental-contextual perspective will view the lives of Asian American women leaders on multiple systemic levels and understand the systemic influences in the formation and maintenance of leadership. How core feminist concepts of resiliency and strength, empowerment, personal reflexivity, power relations, and connectedness informs or poses barriers to leadership will be discussed. Taking an ethnic approach to leadership and allowing for these different voices and diverse perspectives becomes an important step toward transforming psychology and understanding of leadership from a multicultural perspective.

This discussion will attempt to integrate feminist, professional, and ethnic perspectives to accomplish the following: 1) to address the questions posed; 2) to understand the diverse perspectives of Asian American women leaders; and 3) to process and examine the complexity of leadership among Asian American women.

Core Questions:

• How do multiple identities of race, ethnicity, gender, class, and profession impact leadership among Asian American women?
• How do Asian American women define feminist leadership?
• How do Asian American values, viewpoints, and perspectives influence models of feminist leadership?
• What does it mean to be an Asian American leader?
• Do leadership styles among Asian American women differ?
• How does relational, social, political, and historical contexts influence leadership among Asian American women?
• What strategies are effective and ineffective for Asian American women in leadership positions? Why?
• What action steps can be taken to promote leadership among Asian American women?

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