Telephone interviews with Chicanas--30 graduates and 20 dropouts from Title VII Bilingual Education Doctoral Fellowship Programs in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas are reported. The study sought information on how the Chicanas' perceptions of racism, sexism, economics, family responsibilities, support networks, role models, and mentors affected persistence and graduation. The present report addresses the resulting demographic profile and racism and sexism variables. Results show a significant relationship between persistence and marital status, but no statistically significant relationship with age or existence of dependents, and no significant relationship with perception of racism or sexism. However, a majority of the Chicanas felt they were victims of sexism and about one-fifth felt they were victims of racism in the program. Recommendations for improvement of the situation include an end to sexual harassment, equitable distribution of research and teaching assistantships, institutionalization of bilingual education doctoral programs, sincere institutional efforts to employ ethnic minority and women faculty who can serve as role models, and universities with high rates of success in graduating these fellows be studied for traits contributing to that success. (MSE)