International gifted women: Developing a critical human resource

Gifted women in developing nations constitute a valuable human resource in terms of potential contributions to social, technological, and economic progress. To increase understanding of gifted women around the globe, this article presents the results of a study designed to investigate factors affecting lifespan achievement as perceived by 16 highly select, academically achieving women from 15 countries outside the United States. Data were collected through a combination of individual written questionnaires and focus groups. Specific questions concerned the women's perceptions of factors that encouraged or discouraged their achievement over time and strategies they used to cope with obstacles. Results indicated that gifted women from highly diverse countries share personal characteristics of determination, love of learning, willingness to take risks, and an indomitable will to achieve their goals. Most attributed their success to their own motivation and to family support. Where families were perceived as obstacles to achievement, the women relied on their internal resources with support from individuals in the community who recognized their talent. Participants identified a variety of factors that hindered their progress, including economic limitations and cultural barriers for women, and described eight positive coping strategies.