| Abstract: | Factors to which women attribute their success were explored in this study using narrative analysis of the life stories of contemporary eminent women living in Finland. The participants were 12 Finnish women who have achieved success and peer recognition in various fields including science, business and finance, politics, and the arts. Four universal themes emerged from an analysis of the interview data. In their stories of achievement, the main factors were their personal self-reliance, the superiority of their work, and their interdependence with others including family members and co-workers. In addition, every woman talked about the egalitarianism that pervades Finnish society and its importance in the home and workplace. The voices of these women confirmed and extended the knowledge base about the course of talent development for females and the meaning of success for eminent women. |
