Abstract
This study explores the lived experiences of women in public relations (PR) leadership roles in both Ghana and the United States, focusing on the cultural, institutional, and societal barriers that shape their professional journeys. Employing a qualitative research design, the study involved ten women in senior PR positions, five from each country, through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis identified six key themes: institutional barriers and gendered expectations; double standards in leadership communication; the influence of stereotypes; mentorship and support; intra-gender competition; and leadership agency and optimism. Guided by Social Role Theory, Glass Ceiling Theory, Feminist Standpoint Theory, and Transformational Leadership Theory, the research highlights the intersectional challenges women face, including ageism, motherhood penalties, racialized microaggressions, and exclusion from strategic networks. While women in Ghana confront more overt cultural norms related to age and marital status, participants from the U.S. navigate subtler yet equally entrenched biases, particularly among women of color. The findings suggest that, despite the persistence of structural inequities, women in both contexts adopt relational and inclusive leadership strategies, emphasizing mentorship, resilience, and peer solidarity. The study provides practical implications for PR organizations by advocating for culturally grounded mentorship, intersectionality-informed development, and adaptive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies in politically resistant environments. By offering a cross-cultural perspective on women's leadership in public relations (PR), this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of global gendered leadership dynamics and outlines actionable pathways for fostering inclusivity within the communication field.
Advisor
Anne Kerber
Committee Member
Azhar Farah
Committee Member
Maria Kalyvaki
Date of Degree
2025
Language
english
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Program of Study
Communication and Media
Department
Communication and Media
College
Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Citation
Adu, A. K. (2025). Shattering the glass ceiling: Comparative narratives of women leaders in public relations in Ghana and the United States of America [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/1541/
Included in
Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Public Relations and Advertising Commons
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