From Sabotage to Support

Women are acculturated within systems that encourage them to sabotage one another; this book shows how they can break free of this cultural programming and use whatever privilege and power they have to raise each other up.


Feminists have been fighting for decades against the stereotypes that women are somehow hardwired to backstab, claiming that it is not true and seeking to create unity among women. Unfortunately, as we are learning, there is in fact a type of sabotage that falls along racial lines. Different from the stereotypical personal catfight, these divisions between white women, black women and other women of color are rooted in history and are more pervasive than we realize. It occurs when women of different identities unwittingly sabotage each other. This book teaches readers how to take an active approach to better understand ourselves, the biases we may be holding without realizing it, and lift up other women along the way. By pausing to reflect before acting, it is possible to make a different choice, interrupt our action, and take steps to improve our world rather than perpetuate injustices, knowingly and unknowingly. This new book frames sabotage as both a historical inheritance and contextualizes the current problem, providing practical solutions that women can start using in the workplace right away, regardless of their position.

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Introduction The Path to Liberation
• Chapter 1 A Brief History of Feminist Movements
• Chapter 2 The Pervasive Patriarchy
• Chapter 3 The Power of Privilege
• Chapter 4 Moving Through and Within
• Chapter 5 Self-Care and the Path to Empowerment
• Chapter 6 Support for Solidarity
• Chapter 7 Support for Transformation and Liberation
• Conclusion The Gift of Support
• Appendix A: Terms to Know
• Appendix B: Women to Know
• Notes
• Acknowledgments
• Index
• About the Authors

“Packed with everyday wisdom and common-sense recommendations, From Sabotage to Support provides an important alternative to our oppositional, combative social milieu. The authors offer insights, analyses, strategies, and everyday wisdom that give us the necessary tools to transform our workplaces into more equitable, harmonious, inclusive spaces.”
-AnaLouise Keating, PhD, Professor and Doctoral Program Director, Department of Multicultural Women's and Gender Studies, Texas Woman's University, and Gloria Anzaldúa scholar

“From Sabotage to Support is a fantastic addition to the body of knowledge for women (and allies) by women. This book lays down a solid foundation for people new to feminist and womanist journeys while providing immensely actionable guidance for managing our sabotaging behaviors toward ourselves and others. The authors thoughtfully include myriad diverse identities and movements that define the complex human experience. This book will forever change you, your workplace, and the way that you embrace and connect with people.”
-Tiffany Jana, DM, CEO, TMI Portfolio, and coauthor of Overcoming Bias and Erasing Institutional Bias

“Wiggins and Anderson have written a profound book to help us understand the role of patriarchal systems and how we can move from sabotage to support. This is a must-read for white women and women of color who are interested in how we can reclaim our voice and power and develop collaborative, authentic relationships across racial lines and create a new reality of support.”
-Judith H. Katz, EdD, author of White Awareness, coauthor of Safe Enough to Soar, and Executive Vice President, The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Inc.

“The timeliness of From Sabotage to Support can't be overstated. As an employer of a diverse group of individuals, thanks to the teachings in this book, I am now acutely aware of how I have helped perpetuate the patriarchy by rewarding workplace behaviors that originated with a system designed by white men to benefit only them. This book opens up a space for women to discuss how we're unwittingly supporting the continuation of this system. As Wiggins and Anderson show us, we've been working against one another. By working together as a group, as seen in the Women's Marches and the #MeToo movement and outlined in this book, we have a greater opportunity to better women's lives when we lift each other up. The workplace can be competitive, but it doesn't have to be. This enlightening book provides us with new tools to help white women recognize our privilege and our bias and change the way we lead as employers and the way we work as employees.”
-Liz Bradford, owner of Bradford Public Relations Inc.