A gendered narrative that excludes the experiences, perspectives, and voices of women superintendents has dominated research regarding leadership development, leadership theory, and the school superintendency. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to provide women superintendents an opportunity to share their lived experiences of about leadership development and leading as superintendent. The researcher used a qualitative, phenomenological design to develop the methodology for this study. The following research questions further guided this study: (1) How do experiences inform our understanding of the leadership development of women who became superintendents? (2) How do women superintendents describe their lived experiences of leading in their role as superintendent of schools? Baxter Magolda's (2001) theory of self-authorship served as the conceptual framework for this study to examine the leadership development and the leadership experiences of women superintendents. Baxter Magola's theory of self-authorship comprises four phases of development: (1) following formulas; (2) crossroads; (3) becoming author of one's life; and (4) internal foundation. The participants in this study included ten women superintendents. Participants engaged in individual, open-ended interviews about their leadership development and leadership experiences as superintendents. The data were analyzed using a qualitative, phenomenological method. From this phenomenological data analysis, the researcher presented findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The findings of this study revealed that women's experiences of leadership development and leading as superintendents are complex. The women in this study shared a multifaceted approach to leadership grounded in their values and beliefs about instructional leadership, relational leadership, and collaborative leadership. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]