The Real Superwoman: Grandmothers as caregivers

It is estimated that nearly 3 million grandparents are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren; however, less is known about grandmothers as caregivers. Using the Decennial Census and American Community Survey data, this study provides an analysis of Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American women who are caregivers for their grandchildren. Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe will explore if their role as caregivers for grandchildren strains household resources or requires an extended attachment to the labor force, as well as the influence of educational attainment on their economic well-being.

Sharpe is founder and president of the Women's Institute for Science, Equity and Race, the first think-tank to focus solely on the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of women of color. In 2018, she was named one of "25 Black Scholars You Should Know" by The Best Schools. Her research focuses on three areas: gender and racial inequality; the diversity of STEM; and the demography of higher education.

She has served on the faculty at Barnard College, Bennett College, Bucknell University, Columbia University, Duke University, and the University of Vermont. She is the co-founder (with Sandy Darity) of the Diversity Initiative for Tenure in Economics (DITE) for which she served as the associate director from 2008 to 2014.

Sharpe completed her doctorate in economics/mathematics at Claremont Graduate University.