The Double Burden: Why Women Principals Carry More Than the Job

When women step into school leadership, we bring with us not only our professional responsibilities but also the weight of expectations that extend beyond the role. Many of us are balancing the daily demands of leading a school with the invisible labor of managing households, raising children, or caring for family members. This double burden is real, and it shapes the way we experience leadership.

For women principals, the workday doesn’t always end when the school doors close. The evening may bring homework help, dinner preparation, or the emotional work of caring for others. These responsibilities, layered on top of the long hours already expected in leadership, can quickly lead to exhaustion and feelings of being stretched too thin.

The danger is that this cycle can push talented women out of leadership roles altogether. It’s not because we lack the skills or the passion—it’s because the system isn’t designed to support leaders who carry both professional and personal responsibilities. Without intentional structures of support, the double burden becomes unsustainable.

Acknowledging this reality is the first step. Schools and districts must recognize that the success of women leaders depends on creating flexible, humane conditions that allow us to thrive in all parts of our lives. We should not have to choose between being effective principals and present family members. With the right supports, we can be both.

Breaking the glass ceiling means more than earning the title—it means dismantling the barriers that make it so difficult for women to stay and flourish in leadership.