From Poto Mitan to Humanitarian Organization Leaders: Experiences of Haitian Women in the Labyrinth of Intersectionality and Leadership Stereotypes

As the 2010 post-earthquake humanitarian crisis in Haiti created a leadership vacuum in managing the country's reconstruction efforts and the socioeconomic crisis worsened, Haitian women have not had equal access to leading humanitarian initiatives to benefit Haiti and Haitians in the diaspora. The current literature also discusses one-dimensional narratives of Haitian womanhood as victims or humanitarian aid beneficiaries. In this article, I cover a literature gap by expanding the narrative on Haitian women through the poto mitan paradigm in a humanitarian leadership context and by drawing on the feminist labyrinth metaphor to discuss their experience in humanitarian leadership. Focusing on Haitian women leaders making headway in diasporic Haitian humanitarian organizations headquartered in Miami, I share four case studies of their experiences to bring awareness to their struggles and triumphs with intersectionality. I do so through a qualitative analysis of ten interviews emphasizing four leaders in greater depth. In addition, I address the transnational feminist misconceptions about gender norms, stereotypical white supremacist perceptions of humanitarian leadership, and practices of postcoloniality in the sector. This work significantly contributes to the literature about Haitian womanhood in a humanitarian leadership context, as it showcases perspectives from a group not commonly heard from. Simultaneously, through a feminist approach, this article analyzes participants’ stories intertwined with a thick description of Haitian cultural heritage and mentality to present an expanded narrative of the poto mitan.