Session 293: Black Women & The Superwoman Schema

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

We often sing praises of the “strong Black woman,” but the moniker is a double-edged sword. Black women are strong, calm, and nurturing while constantly pushing aside our well-being and surviving in silence. There’s a name for this phenomenon, the Superwoman Schema or Syndrome. Today I’m joined by Dr. Cheryl Woods- Giscombe, the woman who developed the groundbreaking conceptual framework to explore how Black women experience stress. Dr. Woods- Giscombe is a distinguished associate professor of quality of life, health promotion, and wellness at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on how stress leads to health disparities among African Americans. In our conversation, we discuss the origins of the Black “Superwoman” trope, how the effects of “Superwoman” syndrome show up in our everyday lives, and tips for those struggling with taking off their capes. 

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Where to Find Lenaya S. Crawford, LMFT

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Producers: Fredia Lucas, Ellice Ellis & Cindy Okereke

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