Dictionary definition of “stained-glass ceiling”

stained-glass ceiling

n. a barrier to the advancement of women within the hierarchy of a church. Subjects: English, Employment, Religion

Etymological Note: This is a specific form of “glass ceiling,” which is the barrier to advancement of women in any profession. A related term is marble ceiling, which applies to the same situation in politics.

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Citations: 1992 Ari L. Goldman New York Times (Apr. 9) “Catholic Bishops Retreat On the Roles of Women” p. 18: Some women will say, let’s take these crumbs.…I say, we’ve got to stop licking up the floors and break the stained glass ceiling. 1998 Mark I. Pinsky @ Orlando, Florida Times Union (Albany, New York) (Mar. 9) “The stained-glass ceiling” p. C1: The Rev. Barbara Williams Riddle knows all about the stained-glass ceiling the psychological barrier that keeps women from the pulpit of large, upscale congregations. 2003 Renee M. Lareau U.S. Catholic (Sept. 1) “Church ladies” vol. 68, no. 9, p. 32: Scratching the stained-glass ceiling, an increasing number of women hold leadership positions in the church. 2007 Susan Jessen Clinton Herald (Iowa) (Jan. 19) “The women of Zion”: Henry agrees with a recent New York Times article that reports pastors today do still face a “stained-glass ceiling” that keeps them from becoming senior pastors of larger congregations; case in point, only 27 senior pastors of major ELCA congregations are women out of the thousands of senior pastors within the ELCA.

Posted 31 Jan 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend