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Women superintendents are special, different and unique.
March is National Women’s History Month, which gives
us a perfect opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary
achievements of our female leaders in Illinois. In this month’s
issue, we highlight the accomplishments of female leaders
and learn more about the challenges and opportunities that
exist for females in the superintendency.
Of our nation’s approximately 13,600 superintendents, only
27 percent are female, yet women make up 77 percent of
teachers, according to the most recent data available from
the American Association of School Administrators and
Women inLeadershipMonth
Celebrating Women Leaders:
Learning, Leading, Living
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National Center for Education Statistics. As a result, we
have a great responsibility to support, encourage and
empower female leaders to strive to be superintendents,
and, once they are in the field, keep them in their role.
And at the same time, the startling statistics of few
female superintendents call upon all of us in the field to
explore the unique challenges and obstacles that women
superintendents face.
Our female superintendents in Illinois are a dynamic,
accomplished group of leaders who all deserve special
recognition, and in this month’s issue of
Leadership
By Dr. Courtney Orzel
Superintendent, Lemont-Bromberek SD #113A