Creative productive eminence in talented women: Beliefs, motivation, and drive to create

Abstract

ABSTRACT Little research has been conducted on creative, eminent women across different domains, perceptions of their own creativity, and what drives their creative productivity. This research used qualitative, comparative case study methodology to investigate 15 creative women who were identified as highly innovative across diverse domains. Interviews were conducted and biographical information collected about each eminent woman’s work in various fields including: Literature, History, Psychology, Biology, Genomics, Pharmacology, Engineering, Business and Art. The study investigated paths taken and choices made over decades as these women reached high levels of creative achievement and made transformational contributions in their field or domain. Each woman believed she was creative, had strong creative self-efficacy, and explained her drive to create as deriving from love and passion for her chosen work. These creative women actively strived and managed obstacles to serve as agents of positive change, transform or improve their disciplines, and use their creativity to make a positive impact and difference in the world. Their experiences provide insights into the decisions and strategies that enabled them to achieve high levels of innovation, which may help inform and inspire other women in the pursuit of creative productive giftedness.