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Invitation to Symposium: Intersectional Trauma of Women of Color in Academe: Cultivating Trauma-informed Organizations (Session 428)

  • 1.  Invitation to Symposium: Intersectional Trauma of Women of Color in Academe: Cultivating Trauma-informed Organizations (Session 428)

    Posted 07-21-2021 12:40
    Please join us for our Live Open Panel Symposium
    "Intersectional Trauma of Women of Color in Academe: Cultivating Trauma-informed
    Organizations (Session 428)"
    Saturday, July 31st, 2021, 4:00pm – 6:00pm EDT

    This live open panel explores how the workplace can build trauma-informed practices to mitigate intersectional (gendered racial) trauma of women of color.  Our engaging panel will create an informal and welcoming environment with opportunities for Q&A discussions.


    Panelists:

    Dr. Donna Maria Blancero, Bentley University

    Dr. Tiffany D. Johnson, Georgia Tech

    Dr. Danielle D. King, Rice University.

    Dr. Enrica Ruggs, University of Memphis

    Dr. Keimei Sugiyama, University of Wisconsin

    Dr. Marla Baskerville Watkins, Northeastern University


    Organizers:

    Erica M. Johnson, Case Western Reserve University

    Pooja Khatija, Case Western Reserve University

    Han Liu, Case Western Reserve University


    Divisions:

    GDO, MOC, OB


    Overview:

    This symposium addresses how organizations can build a trauma-informed culture to mitigate traumatic stress of women of color, who often face gendered racism in the workplace.  Such deleterious work events unique to women of color include exotified sexual objectification, gendered-racially ascribed roles (e.g., jezebel and lotus blossom), and assumptions of criminality. Oppressive practices, such as isolation from professional networks, promote trauma-inducing coping responses (e.g., Strong Black Woman schema and safety-seeking behaviors ) that lead to poor work outcomes.  Intersectional (gendered racial) trauma also is demonstrated by symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; e.g., avoidance, intrusion, and hypervigilance) and has compounded negative outcomes across life domains (e.g., home and work life).   

    Workplace initiatives separating race and gender silences the voice and unique experiences of women of color, and impedes the opportunity to make changes on a systemic level. Understanding how organizational structures maintain trauma systems can highlight societal factors related to gendered-racial oppression and the stratification of the workplace.   This session will build on the public health prevention framework by exploring primary (system-wide prevention of stressors), secondary (strengthening stress responses), and tertiary (individual recovery) management practices that mitigate re-traumatization and promote the well-being and advancement of women of color.  From this symposium, scholars, researchers, and practitioners can gain greater insight on ways to dismantle oppressive structures and enable a transformative and identity-affirming environment.

    Questions addressed by the panelists and in breakout sessions include, but are not limited to:

    • How is intersectional trauma currently handled in institutions?
    • How can we incorporate interdisciplinary research to prevent re-traumatization?
    • How can leaders and managers build trauma-informed skills? 
    • What does posttraumatic growth look like for women of color?
    • What accountability measures need to be put in place to ensure women of color's personal and professional growth?

    Panelists and attendees will address these questions by sharing their research, practice, and lived experiences to help cultivate organizational best practices for trauma-informed care.  The symposium will consist of a panel session, breakout discussions, and a Q&A in an informal setting.  


    Community-building:

    Are you interested in helping to build trauma-informed organizations to mitigate the re-traumatization of marginalized identities?  If so, we are building a network of scholars and practitioners interested in engaging in research and interventions addressing trauma, resilience, and growth of women of color.  If interested in engaging further, please provide your contact information in this form.


    Session enrollment:

    To participate in this symposium, please use this symposium link to enroll, or you can search for "Session 428" on the AOM conference website.


    Contact:

    For any questions, please contact Erica Johnson at eej13@case.edu.


    Looking forward to seeing you!

    Erica M. Johnson, Case Western Reserve University



    ------------------------------
    Erica M. Johnson
    PhD Candidate
    Case Western Reserve University
    eej13@case.edu
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