For 10 years, the Minneapolis (Minnesota) Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) has honored local women for outstanding achievement in their occupational field and in the community at a Leader Lunch. In March of 1987, a 100-item survey was mailed to 73 past recipients of the Leader Lunch Award. Completed surveys were received from 48 women. The results indicated that most of the women were Caucasian, with a few Blacks and one Asian American. They averaged 54 years of age and were college educated, most with a baccalaureate degree. The women represented a variety of career fields, had long work histories, and most were employed full-time. The respondents seemed to have high work commitment and intrinsic work values. Many of the women also reported strong commitments to the family. Other findings related to life transitions, risk-taking, barriers to career development, the women's sense of self, and mentors and support systems. The women offered advice to other women and to employers. The women showed a strong sense of social justice and were especially concerned about eliminating discrimination based on sex, race, or ethnic origin; they shared dreams for equality of opportunity in society and in the workplace. (Readers are cautioned that this study is exploratory and descriptive and that results cannot be generalized to other women or other women leaders.) (NB)