In this article on women scientists in Ivory Coast, we question the circumstances that led them into traditionally male-dominated sectors. This consists primarily of identifying and analyzing the determinants that contributed to their success in sectors where they were underrepresented. To address this central concern, we used content analysis on the life stories of 26 women who had studied in verious scientific fields (mathematics, bridges and roadway, molecular physics, nuclear physics, chemistry, computer science, microbiology). Their stories help students understand their academic and professional backgrounds and provide explanations concerning their success and positioning in their professions. Indeed, if the results obtained indicate that intrinsic factors related to their performance, class and social composition of families have led them to scientific studies, certain extrinsic factors (political discourse, identification with a model, external support, etc.) also influenced their course.