Autumn Divas: Reflections of Two Women of Color Who Achieved Doctorates after Age 50

Authors

  • Dana Burdnell Wilson Morgan State University School of Social Work
  • Linda Darrell, PhD Morgan State University School of Social Work
  • Dasha Rhodes, MSW Morgan State University School of Social Work

Keywords:

women’s empowerment, women doctoral studies, mature women of color

Abstract

This article shares the personal narratives of two of its authors who refer to themselves as Autumn Divas—women of color who achieved doctorate degrees after the age of 50. These narratives reveal the women’s motivation for returning to pursue a doctorate after significant professional and life experiences, the challenges they faced while doing so, the support they received, and how they plan to use their new voices to influence positive change. Recommendations for future research seek to inspire women to pursue their goals regardless of their life stage.

Author Biographies

Dana Burdnell Wilson, Morgan State University School of Social Work

Dana Burdnell Wilson, PhD

Assistant Professor, BSW Department

Morgan State University School of Social Work

Linda Darrell, PhD, Morgan State University School of Social Work

Linda Darrell, PhD

Assistant Professor, MSW Department

Morgan State University School of Social Work

Baltimore, MD

Dasha Rhodes, MSW, Morgan State University School of Social Work

Dasha Rhodes, MSW

PhD Social Work Student and Graduate Assistant

Morgan State University School of Social Work

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Published

2019-05-06

How to Cite

Wilson, D. B., Darrell, L., & Rhodes, D. (2019). Autumn Divas: Reflections of Two Women of Color Who Achieved Doctorates after Age 50. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 24(4), 70–83. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/1661