Public Visibility in Women Who Stutter: A Viewpoint

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to provide an overview of how public visibility and gender shape the experiences of women who stutter. Drawing on stigma theory, coping with stigma, and human agency, we discuss how public visibility can create opportunities for growth, connection, and self-expression while also exposing women to judgments, vulnerabilities, and social expectations that influence participation in public and professional contexts. Conclusions: Public visibility involves navigating social dynamics that extend beyond communication, including how women are interpreted and evaluated in real time. Although coping strategies and agentic actions may support continued participation, the fact that women who stutter often need to rely on them reflects the presence of social stigma and mistreatment. Public visibility should therefore be understood not only as an individual outcome but also as a context shaped by audience responses and broader social expectations.