Abstract
Extant research on tokenism has well documented the adverse consequences for employees in minority positions and, for example, how women’s possibility of action is constrained in male-dominated contexts. We present an in-depth qualitative case study of a male- dominated organization in a masculine industry in which, despite all expectations, the experience of tokenism for minority women is ambiguous. Furthermore, these women also display a strong agentic role in an organization in which culture favours gender equality. This unique case reveals an aspect previously overlooked in studies of tokenism: the importance of organizational norms. By exposing and challenging the implicit masculine norm, this organization actively engages in the change of gendering processes and contributes to establishing an alternative norm. Theoretical contributions show the impact of organizational normative control on the experience of token, and how it provides a frame for action toward gender equality. Implications for work for change are briefly discussed.