<![CDATA[Although pesantren have a long-standing literacy tradition, the role of women’s leadership in sustaining santri literacy is often overlooked. Limited recognition of female leaders’ influence constrains understanding of how visionary and participative leadership fosters motivation, literacy practices, and the integration of cultural, institutional, and pedagogical aspects in pesantren. This study aims to understand Bu Nyai’s leadership in promoting santri literacy at Pesantren Annuqayah, exploring motivational strategies, literacy routines, and leadership innovations that cultivate a literacy culture, as well as the supporting factors for their success. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, collecting data through interviews, observation, and documentation, analyzed thematically with triangulation of sources, methods, and time to ensure credibility, capture subjective experiences, and relate findings to female leadership theory. Results indicate that Bu Nyai’s visionary, transformational, and participative leadership plays a central role in building a sustainable literacy culture and developing santri character. Institutional interaction, pedagogical practices, and social support create an adaptive literacy ecosystem. Literacy emerges as social, cultural, and professional capital gained through women’s leadership as agents of institutional transformation. The findings confirm that visionary and participative female leadership can promote sustainable literacy, strengthen santri character, and serve as a model for policy, pedagogical practice, and literacy ecosystem development in pesantren.]]>
