An exploratory pilot study to determine the personal characteristics of women community leaders and their position in the power structure was conducted in Chippewa and Eau Claire Counties, Wisconsin. The research design involved a comparison of three samples: the traditional power structure identified through reputational techniques; the active women sample identified through a combination of reputational, positional, and decision-making techniques; and a next-door-neighbor comparison group of women. Preliminary analysis of the data collected indicated that certain women are known for their contributions to the community; that the existence of such groups of women is a long-standing phenomenon that has not previously been studied; and that the women have power in their own right, not as an adjunct to their husbands, although the women as a group may have less power than the most powerful men. (The active women may serve as a bridge between the influential men and the less powerful groups in the community.) The women are supportive of traditional roles--most are wives and mothers--and not too supportive of women's liberation, although most appeared to be more community oriented rather than focused entirely on home and family. Their education and socialization seemed to be supportive of community involvement. More in-depth analysis of the research results is recommended. (KC)