Female Leadership Across Time: The Past, Present and Future of Female Leadership in a Global Perspective

Barbara Sveva Magnanelli () and Elisa Raoli ()
Additional contact information
Barbara Sveva Magnanelli: John Cabot University, Business Administration Department
Elisa Raoli: Catholic University of Sacred Heart, SEGESTA

Chapter 2 in Female Leadership and Motherhood, 2026, pp 9-28 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This chapter examines the evolution of female leadership from antiquity to the present, demonstrating that women’s authority, though often constrained, has been a persistent feature of political, social and organizational life. Historical cases from pre-colonial Africa, ancient Egypt and early modern Europe illustrate how women exercised power through institutional roles, diplomatic skill and cultural influence, challenging conventional narratives that marginalize their contributions. The chapter then explores contemporary patterns of female leadership, highlighting significant progress in political representation, corporate governance and social activism, while underscoring the enduring barriers that hinder full gender parity. Structural constraints such as gender stereotypes, motherhood penalties, and unequal access to resources intersect with race, class and global inequalities, shaping diverse and uneven leadership trajectories. Yet emerging trends, including inclusive organizational cultures, gender-balanced policies, and shifts in leadership expectations, suggest new opportunities for transformative change. By connecting historical legacies with current challenges and future projections, the chapter argues that female leadership is neither a recent anomaly nor a linear success story, but a dynamic process shaped by cultural norms, institutional design and global systems of care. Understanding these patterns is essential for advancing more equitable and sustainable models of leadership worldwide.

Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-032-24990-6_2

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/9783032249906

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-24990-6_2

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Springer Books from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().