ABSTRACT. This paper provides a literature review on the gap between rhetoric and reality in equal opportunities for women in organizations, the relationship between stereotypical images of Black women and individual’s perceptions, the advancement of professional women into senior and leadership positions, and gender differences in psychological climate perceptions. The results of the current study converge with prior research on the advancement of women in business faculty identity development and transformation, the career development of professional women, Black women’s professional and career development, and the impact of gender stereotypes on performance evaluation. pp. 331–336

Keywords: career development, professional women, gender, perception