African American women's experiences/collective barriers in executive leadership at a veteran affairs medical center

African American women are obtaining executive leadership status in Veteran Affairs. However, in spite of affirmative action, gender inequities still exist in successfully reaching upper management, General Schedule (GS) 13-General Schedule 15, or Senior Executive Service (SES) positions. Very little literature has been published on their struggles, barriers, challenges, motivation, exploration, stories, and successes. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of African American women in upper management GS13-GS15 or Senior Executive Service (SES) positions at a veteran affairs medical center (VAMC). Specifically, the goal was to dispel the myth that this unique population has similar experiences in the workplace as other racial and ethnic groups. In-depth interviews with ten African American women yielded qualitative data on the life experiences, strategies, and leadership contributions that successfully helped them to achieve executive status.