10 definitions by Sexism Education
Bossy is a patronising way to describe a woman who takes up space and speaks her mind. Women in leadership are always at risk of being branded ‘bossy’ and the use of this word can deter women from seeking positions of authority.
Beyoncé explained, “I’m not bossy. I’m the boss”, as part of the 2014 Ban Bossy campaign which addressed the confidence gap between young girls and boys and aimed to encourage girls to lead.
Beyoncé explained, “I’m not bossy. I’m the boss”, as part of the 2014 Ban Bossy campaign which addressed the confidence gap between young girls and boys and aimed to encourage girls to lead.
He realised that the bossy young girl displayed the same qualities as the little boy being praised as a natural leader.
by Sexism Education March 6, 2022
Cold is used to describe a woman who isn’t acting in a traditionally ‘feminine’ way. Some women are caring, warm and expressive and others aren’t. Women in leadership are faced with the mismatched expectation of having both leadership qualities and stereotypical feminine qualities. It’s often accepted that a male leader can be the ‘silent type’, but when a woman acts in the same way (because she knows masculine qualities are more respected), she’s an ‘ice queen’.
by Sexism Education March 6, 2022
Fierce is a word used to describe strong women, however it also infers that a woman isn’t acting as we expect her to. Fierce is a particularly problematic sexist term, as it is often reserved for women of colour and reinforces the ‘angry black woman’ stereotype.
by Sexism Education March 6, 2022