The United States is especially plagued by internal inconsistencies in the value structure of its society because of its roots in the cultural melting pot of so many nationalities. The characteristics tradition attributes to the ideal woman are in sharp contrast to those for a correctional administrator; warmth, sensitivity, grace, charm, compliance, and dependence are not conducive to projecting authority and responsibility. Women suffer guilt and fear of forfeiting all their feminine attributes if they embark upon a competitive career, especially in a field as closely associated with masculinity as corrections. For these complex reasons, both men and women have perpetuated occupational sex typing, and female entrants into corrections continue to be discouraged. Arguments about the harshness of institutional conditions are often true, but the attitudes and qualities needed for administrative success in this setting need not be couched in sexist terms to needlessly disqualify women. The emphasis in corrections on withstanding stress and operating under crisis has been the major obstacle to women's advancement to correctional decisionmaking positions because the myth holds women incapable of objectivity and logic. Reaching an administrative position by upward mobility is difficult because of the very few women currently in the ranks and because promotions require the aid of a mentor -- inevitably male. Advancement through educational qualifications requires breaking into the 'old boy' network of a closed male professional group. For women to succeed, they must help each other because female correctional administrators will remain the exception to the rule for a long time to come. Endnotes are provided.