WOMEN’S HISTORY SPOTLIGHT: Get To Know Sonia Alcántara-Antoine

Sonia Alcántara-Antoine is the CEO of Baltimore County Public Library, overseeing 19 branches, 600 dedicated staff and an annual budget of $45 million.

Alcántara-Antoine is active in the Public Library Association, where she is currently president-elect, and the Urban Libraries Council, where she serves on the Antiracism and Digital Equity action team.

For Women’s History Month, we spoke with Alcántara-Antoine about her role and hopes for the future.

What are your current responsibilities and how did you get there?

I have been the CEO of Baltimore County Public Library for the past 2 years, after having had a career in public library leadership over the past 15 years. I am responsible for oversight of library system services and operations, which includes a $45 million budget, a dedicated staff of 600, 19 branches and four Bookmobiles. I establish the vision and tone for the organization, pushing us in the direction that ensures we are serving our diverse, 21st century community in ways that are meaningful and transformational. I advocate for the resources the library needs to serve its community with excellence. I stand up for core library values like intellectual freedom and diversity, equity, and inclusion. I’m also the President-Elect of the Public Library Association.

As a woman, what are the most significant barriers you had to overcome to thrive in your role, in the industry or in the workplace?

Libraries are a female-dominated profession but when I go outside of libraries, I’m often engaging with male leaders from other sectors or industries. I find that I am often going up against subtle biases about women in leadership or even about who librarians are. Leaders have to be bold and fearless, regardless of their age, gender, background, or industry. Every day I have to show up as my authentic self as a woman of color, as a leader and as a librarian. But don’t put me in a box! I love challenging preconceptions, defying limitations, and exceeding expectations.

What motivated you to keep going and achieve your goals regardless of gender bias?

Knowing who I am, where I come from, and my intrinsic worth ground me. I was meant to do the work that I do, and I lean into it every day.

What do you want your legacy to be?

Baltimore County Public Library celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. If I do my job right, it will be here for the next 75 years and beyond. I want my legacy to be that I made the library stronger and that people’s lives (and that of future generations) are richer for it.

What should leaders do to empower the next generation of women leaders and what advice would you give to women looking to follow in your footsteps?

So many got to where they are because of someone who believed in them and gave them a chance, a nudge, a sympathetic ear, sound advice, mentorship, etc. All of us stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and it is crucial to pay it forward by offering the same support to the next generation of leaders and professionals.

For allies, how can they better support women?

Create opportunities, then get out of the way.