This paper presents insights from a broader study on doctoral students' educational and professional trajectories, with a particular focus on female international doctoral students in the United States. It explores how these women navigate their career paths while balancing the dual responsibilities of academic demands and motherhood. Drawing on feminist perspectives, the study focuses on the experiences of three women from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kazakhstan. It reveals that their decisions to pursue doctoral studies were influenced by both career ambitions and family considerations. The transition was challenging, as they had to balance academic workloads with family responsibilities and help their children adjust to new cultural environments. However, supportive networks--both within academic settings and in the community--were crucial to their success. This research underscores the intersection of gender, motherhood, and international student status, offering valuable insights for policies and practices aimed at better supporting this underrepresented group in higher education. [For the full proceedings, see ED666619.]