Focusing on the role of black women in the civil rights movement, this work rethinks, challenges and broadens traditional concepts of leadership, derived from male leadership models. Based on eight years of research, oral narratives, life histories and extensive personal interviews conducted with over 100 movement activists of the 1960s, it analyzes race, gender and class Focusing on the role of black women in the civil rights movement, this work rethinks, challenges and broadens traditional concepts of leadership, derived from male leadership models. Based on eight years of research, oral narratives, life histories and extensive personal interviews conducted with over 100 movement activists of the 1960s, it analyzes race, gender and class in social movement leadership. Their multidimensional leadership roles and personal-political struggles reveal common themes in black women's diverse life histories and activism during the civil rights movements.