Lynne E. Washington, in fulfilling the requirements of a PhD from the Graduate School of Leadership and Change, has written and published a dissertation titled, Chieftaincy in a Lappa: Portraiture Leadership of Black Women.
African American women continue the struggle for voice and equality despite the culture or religious norms of their adopted culture, justice, and freedom as women regardless of country. Washington’s dissertation examines African American women with chieftaincy titles in Yoruba culture exercise leadership in both Yorubaland and America.
Through qualitative research, narrative inquiry, and portraiture, Washington interviewed five African American women and conducted observations in Nigerian, pre-Osun festival, the Osun festival, and post-Osun festival, including three female Nigerian Chiefs. Washington’s study identified the historical and cultural patterns necessary to understand, adapt, and implement training for future women leaders in the Isese/Ifa/Orisa tradition in America and those learning Yoruba culture and customs in their chieftaincies. Her data findings are contextualized in the narratives to provide an overall portrait of African American women leaders in the Yoruba culture and Isese/Ifa/Orisa tradition in the United States, primarily in Atlanta, Georgia. This research will help to better understand African American women in leadership and what is expected in their Chieftaincy in a growing religious and philosophical tradition in America.
Washington is an accomplished Episcopal priest, scholar, and community leader whose work spans ministry, community development, education, and social justice. With over 20 years of pastoral leadership, Washington has demonstrated a deep commitment to the spiritual and socio-economic upliftment of individuals and communities, particularly in the areas of Black women’s liberation theories and community-based interventions.
Read and download Washington’s dissertation, Chieftaincy in a Lappa: Portraiture Leadership of Black Women.
