Gender, Ethnicity, and Social Justice Leadership: Female Jewish and Arab School Principals in Israel

This chapter examined how ethnicity and culture affect perceptions and practices of social justice leadership in Jewish and Arab schools. Four female principals’ were interviewed. Key findings revealed that the principals’ background contributed to the shaping of their awareness and commitment to implementing principles of social justice in their schools. Although these female Jewish and Arab principals have grown up and developed in the same life circles as male principals, their experiences were highly influenced by gender, ethnicity, culture, and special circumstances that position them in situations that they see as unjust. Implications are discussed.