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Article
The Harvest is Plentiful but the Laborers are Few: An Interdisciplinary Examination of Career Choice and African American Sororities
Journal of African American Studies
  • Marcia D. Hernandez, University of the Pacific
  • Harriett Arnold, University of the Pacific
ORCID
Marcia D. Hernandez: 0000-0001-9556-7699
Document Type
Article
Department
Sociology
DOI
10.1007/s12111-011-9167-0
Publication Date
12-1-2012
Disciplines
Abstract

Teaching was a popular career option pursued by African American women prior to the 1970s; since then, there has been a steady decline of interest in the profession. Historically, black sororities helped to recruit new teachers and provided social networks of support for professional African American women. In this article, we examine research literature from multiple disciplines that links the historic mission of black sororities to the ethic of caring and othermothering routinely practiced by teachers in their communities. We contend one way black sororities may demonstrate their relevance in contemporary society is by employing new strategies to help recruit and retain African American women teachers. © 2011 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC.

Citation Information
Marcia D. Hernandez and Harriett Arnold. "The Harvest is Plentiful but the Laborers are Few: An Interdisciplinary Examination of Career Choice and African American Sororities" Journal of African American Studies Vol. 16 Iss. 4 (2012) p. 658 - 673 ISSN: 1559-1646
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/marcia-hernandez/28/