ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the image of universities as ivory towers; to define who the ebony women in Higher Education are; to document some of their experiences; to stimulate a debate and to call for research into this neglected area of analysis. It highlights the sharp contrast with the ivory image of universities. For ebony women in Higher Education, this type of programme would involve addressing their diversity, strengths and weaknesses. To date, these needs have not been met and as a result, black women feel a tremendous sense of alienation and disenchantment with higher education. In order to deconstruct the image of Universities as ivory towers, there also needs to be a fundamental change in attitudes and a recognition that black women's experiences in higher education are not only distinctive but also dependent on a number of interrelated factors. The chapter describes the relationship between the ivory towers and ebony women.
