Achieving your dream: Balancing Leadership, Social Work and Family

The number of working women in the United States has risen from 18.4 million in 1950 to 65.7 million in 2005. However, in 2004, women earned 80.4% as much as men, when comparing median weekly earnings. The income disparity is even larger when looking at race or specific types of employment. In professional and related occupations, women represent 24.7% of the work force and earn almost 32% less than their male counterparts. In addition, women are less likely to be in leadership positions within their organizations. The field of maternal and child health social work is an example of this disparity with a predominantly female workforce but a disproportionate number of leaders who are men. While this disparity is well-known, little has been done to encourage female social work practitioners to see their potential as leaders in their field. This presentation will identify obstacles that female maternal and child health social workers encounter in becoming leaders, specifically, related to the struggle between work and family obligations and how she views her professional role. The presentation will also provide an assessment tool that allows social workers to examine questions on self-readiness, family barriers and support and organizational willingness to pursue a leadership track.