This work presents partial results from a doctoral research aiming to understand women's participation in the academic scientific and political fields of the Brazilian Federal Institutes of Education, Science and Technology (IFs) through the analysis of their personal trajectories, in order to comprehend the reasons that lead them to run for the position of rector and the reasons for a significant number of them managing to get it within the context where they are still a minority, proportionally, in high positions in the fields of academic and general politics. The research methodology consists of developing quantitative and qualitative analyses through bibliographical research and field research at scientific events, interviews with the rectors (already concluded) and documentary research (a process currently in progress). After the interviews I got testimonies and accounts from various female rectors of the IFs and also some recollects from the female rectors of Brazilian Federal Universities (UFs). To better understand their contributions, the research interlocutors were divided into three groups: 1. Female Rectors of the IFs and (UFs) who were heard during field research conducted at events that mainly addressed the theme of women in the scientific field and politics; 2. Pioneer Female Rectors, who are the first rectors of the IF appointed on a pro tempore basis in 2009, whose accounts were obtained through interviews and/or by reading the testimonies available in the book "Institutos Federais dos Brasileiros: A história contada por quem fez" ("Brazilians' Federal Institutes: The History Told by Those Who Made It".) 3. Female Rectors of the IFs, the main focus of this research, interviewed between the end of 2023 and March 2024. The profile of these women, their academic and work experience, and how these factors contribute (or not) to their becoming rectors will be discussed in this work.