Women Leading Education Across the Continents: Harnessing the Joy in Leadership is a rare and ambitious project that explores both the depth of this important topic while also including important international perspectives. Collectively considered, the book investigates and critiques problems related to women and leadership while also celebrating successes and offering strategies for creating positive change in people, policies and practices. This is a must-read for educational leaders regardless of gender—there are lessons here for all organizations and individuals.

Jeffrey S. Brooks, professor, RMIT University

I wholeheartedly endorse this excellent collection of women’s research from across the world, focusing on finding and harnessing the joy of leadership within education. Framing the book within a Maori kaupapa is a particularly strong feature, as it provides a platform for sharing what is unique about Aotearoa with the rest of the world. This book provides insights into how women have sought to both understand and transform the environments within which they live. ‘Kei a tatoutenei ao; kei a tatau hoki enei iti kahurangi. This is our world; these are the challenges we must strive to overcome.’ (Maori proverb)

Sarah Leberman, professor in leadership, Massey University

Too often women and leadership topics focus on the negatives - the toxicity, the issues, the sexism and misogyny. These are all true and unfortunately accurate portrayals of one aspect of the dark side of leadership for women. But there is another side to which this book draws our attention. It is a well overdue collection of chapters on the possibilities and promises of leadership and of the joy within. I read it with great enjoyment and found the stories, drawing on a wide range of women's experiences, inspiring and full of hope. In an era of Trump, this is an important message to be providing.

Jane Wilkinson, Professor Educational Leadership, Monash University, Joint Editor of Journal of Educational Administration and History

This book is an excellent addition to the work on women in educational leadership, with its broad perspective, and multi-cultural focus. Students of educational leadership will find it an excellent addition to the work in the field, and learn something new both about themselves as leaders, and the richness of the contexts within which women lead.

Megan Crawford, PhD, director, Plymouth Institute of Education, Professor of Ed Leadership and Professional Learning

This remarkable volume introduces a new dimension to women’s leadership in education. Teacher leaders, school principals and community educators will be inspired by diverse insights, cultural wisdom and global contexts. What a great textbook!

Margaret Grogan, dean, Chapman University

This book reflects a wealth of experience from women leaders and those supporting women leaders of education throughout the world. It includes established internationally known voices and those fresh to the field who bring new insights. In this ‘Me Too’ era, listening to the voices of women in so critical a field as education could not be more important. This book provides a highway to listening and understanding their experience throughout the world.

Jacky Lumby, emeritus professor, University of Southampton, UK