From Mastery to Accountability: Cultural Humility as an Alternative to Cultural Competence

Sophie Bierly

Cultural competency has been a long held ideal for social work educators and practitioners. However, definitions and approaches to cultural competency vary widely depending on worldview, discipline, and practice context. Within social work and beyond, cultural competency has been challenged for its failure to account for the structural forces that shape individuals’ experiences and opportunities. In contrast, the concept ofcultural humility takes into account the fluidity of culture and challenges both individuals and institutions to address inequalities. This article takes a critical look at cultural competence as a concept, examining its explicit and implicit assumptions, and the impact these assumptions have on practitioners. It suggests that cultural humility may offer social work an alternative framework as it acknowledges power differentials between provider and client and challenges institutional-level barriers. The authors advocate a move from a focus on mastery in understanding ‘others’ to a framework that requires personal accountability in challenging institutional barriers that impact marginalized communities. Cultural humility, while a promising concept, has not been fully explored in social work. Therefore, the authors present a conceptual model of cultural competency along with strategic questions for providers and organizations to integrate into social work practice and education.

Better Together: A Model for Women and LGBTQ Equality in the Workplace

Sophie Bierly

Much has been achieved in terms of human rights for women and people of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and queer (LGBTQ) community. However, human resources management (HRM) initiatives for gender equality in the workplace focus almost exclusively on white, heterosexual, cisgender women, leaving the problems of other gender, and social minorities out of the analysis. This article develops an integrative model of gender equality in the workplace for HRM academics and practitioners. First, it analyzes relevant antecedents and consequences of gender-based discrimination and harassment (GBDH) in the workplace. Second, it incorporates the feminist, queer, and intersectional perspectives in the analysis. Third, it integrates literature findings about women and the LGBTQ at work, making the case for an inclusive HRM. The authors underscore the importance of industry-university collaboration and offer a starters’ toolkit that includes suggestions for diagnosis, intervention, and applied research on GBDH. Finally, avenues for future research are identified to explore gendered practices that hinder the career development of women and the LGBTQ in the workplace.

Diversity and Inclusion are Core Leadership Competencies: A Primer for Busy Leaders

Sophie Bierly

Why does research clearly show that in the physician workforce, female doctors are not equitably valued, respected or compensated when compared to male peers? It is well documented that women physicians receive less pay for similar work.1 We lag in promotions and make up a small minority of high level leaders.2 We often lack support and sponsorship. My own research with colleagues has demonstrated that although medical specialty societies have attracted physician members from all walks of life (good diversity), many of them have zero women (no inclusion) among recipients of some recognition awards.3 Is it any wonder that women physicians may become demoralized and experience more symptoms of burnout than male colleagues?

Native Women Lead

Sophie Bierly

OUR MISSION To revolutionize systems and inspire innovation by investing in Native Women in business. We do this by co-creating with and convening our community to build coalition while honoring our culture, creativity, and connections

National Latina Business Women Association – San Diego

Sophie Bierly

The National Latina Business Women Association (NLBWA-SD) was established in 2004. It was created to meet the needs of the growing community of Latina Entrepreneurs, Executives and Professionals.

NLBWA-SD believes in “Investing in Latinas” and has developed business networking, membership programs & benefits for its members, including monthly meetings (mixers, breakfasts, seminars &luncheons) all held at a centrally located and unique venue with incredible speakers and panelists.

Black Women’s Network

Sophie Bierly

Since 1979, Black Women’s Network has been a beacon in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan business community that unites and welcomes urban professionals by offering inspiring networking, volunteering and mentoring opportunities to support black female business, career and professional development within a supportive nonpartisan and nonsectarian environment.

Asian American Women’s Alliance (AAWA)

Sophie Bierly

AAWA seeks to create opportunities for mutual learning & nurturing, mentor relationships, career & leadership development, personal & group support, and engagement in community services.

National Professional Women of Color Network

Sophie Bierly

The National Professional Women of Color Network (PWOCN) empowers women of color through networking. Our mission is to serve as a resource for your professional and personal advancement and whether you are a career woman or woman owned business, the goal is the same – advancing your business or career through the use of the network!

PWOCN is the Premiere Multicultural Networking Organization for Women of Color. We are comprised of professional women from many industry sectors and are growing larger each day. PWOCN connects tremendous women with one another and members are translating those connections into Phenomenal Business Success.

Strategic Connections Circle – Get connected to the product, service or member you need through select gatherings. Join in with other entrepreneurs & career women for exchange, advice, mentoring and partnership.

Networking Events – Discounted entry to networking events and an opportunity to be recognized as a charter member.

Member Spotlight Option – Special opportunity to be showcased in PWOCN member spotlight.

Online Web Listing – Join our featured Premiere Charter Member page on PWOCN website. Listing includes photo, contact information and link to website.

Professional Development – Online and live trainings focused on leadership, career coaching and business mastery.

Gender Equity in the News Media: Analysis and Recommendations for Newsroom Leaders

Sophie Bierly

This paper analyzes the state of gender equity in the American news media industry today. Sadly, many of the challenges we will describe are not new. In fact, the disservice done to society by the exclusion of women from the reporting of news was raised as early as the 18th century by women suffragists and women’s rights activists in North America as well as Europe. Women first brought a gendered analysis of the mass media to the global stage in the 1970s, when a multipart critique was presented at the 1975World Conference on Women in Mexico City, which opened the UN Decade for Women. Conference speakers stressed the importance of the global mass communications media to “change stereotyped attitudes of men and women” and “eliminate discrimination against women,” and the published report exhorted the mass communication media to “inform the population about new roles for women and their struggle for equity with men” (United Nations, 1975).