Chapter 9: Latinas Overcoming Challenges to become School Leaders

One of five women in the United States (U.S.) is Latina, which represents 48.9% of the total Latino population in the U.S. (Gándara, 2015; Maes, 2010). In 2004, only 6.4% of teachers were Latina, and in 2014, the number of Latina teachers was still an alarmingly low rate of 8.7% (Gandara, 2015). Although, Shapiro and Partelow (2018) noted that less than 8% of teachers in the country identified as Latinos. These statistics indicate that Latinas are underrepresented in the teaching profession, but they are also underrepresented in school leadership and in research as well (Almager et al., 2018; Méndez-Morse, 2000; Quilantán & Menchaca-Ochoa, 2004; Sanchez et al., 2008; Shakeshaft, 1989; Wrushen & Sherman, 2008).