Balancing Career and Caregiving Roles in the Midst of a Global Pandemic: The Narratives of Four Females in Higher Education

ABSTRACT

This chapter introduces the audience to the world of four females working in higher education during COVID-19. The narratives provide a glimpse into the roles women in the workforce and specifically mothers in academia played and continue to play throughout the global pandemic of 2020 and 2021. In each narrative, the authors discuss the mental, emotional, physical, and relational tolls of striving to balance the many roles faced during the global pandemic. After exploring personal experiences, the authors look to the future and provide recommendations for how universities can strive to advocate for their female employees, specifically women of color and women serving in caregiver roles, in the forthcoming policies and initiatives. © 2021 by IGI Global. All rights reserved.