This qualitative study explores the impact of childhood themes on women's aspirations toward leadership as suggested by the Eccles Model of Achievement Related Choices. Using intensity sampling, the research solicits childhood gender-related experiences of women in leadership and non-leadership roles through interviews, focus groups, check lists, self-esteem measures and journaling. Using a phenomenological approach, themes prevalent in the childhood homes of the participants are identified, coded, sorted and compared. The findings indicate that the messages sent to the participants about their own capabilities and the expectations their parents held for them are of greatest impact. These messages form the women's values regarding education, career choice and leadership potential. (Contains 1 table.)