She Founded Iraq
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Iraq is proving an interesting challenge to the US, no matter what your politics. We don't give much thought to it, but the origins of Iraq give some insight into today's problems.
After WW I, the Armistice process led to the division of territories that until that time really weren't nations. They had been ruled more locally by local Sheiks and tribes. Iraq was such a case. The British ended up with the region under its sphere of influence during a time when the Empire was expiring. Britain didn't have enough wealth - or perhaps enough initiative - after the war to help pick up the regional economy. They were in charge, but didn't know really what to do.
Enter a "relic" of the Victorian age, a single heiress very interested in archeology and politics in a region teeming with both, Gertrude Bell. Young, energetic, trained at travel in primitive areas, politics, archeology, aware, intimately, with the vagaries of war and survivorship, and friendly with most of the leaders in the Middle East because of her remote desert travels, Bell was the perfect go-between to suggest a future direction for the Iraqi government and society.
Her ultimate contribution was the hand-off of Empire to King Faisal.
So what's the point?
Bell taught herself. She used family contacts, training not normally reserved for women, and tenacity to acquire the knowledge needed to foster growth of societies (read that governments) in the Middle East when before there were none.
Some of your best employees ultimately may come from this college of self-knowledge, tenacity and willingness to give with nothing offered in return.
Be patient when you meet such a person. They may help you grow your organization in ways you hadn't expected.
Reference
Howell, Georgina. Gertrude Bell. Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations. Ferrar, Straus and Giroux. 2007.