The aim of the work is to underline the fundamental role of Eleonora Barbieri Masini’s research on the field in the development of policies for the empowerment of women, especially in developing countries. In this regard, she was the coordinator of several research projects, including the Household, Gender, and Age program of the United Nations University (from 1981 to 1991), and the UNESCO WIN (Women’s International Network) Emergency and Solidarity program (from 1995 to 2005). She carried out her research work on the field in many countries all over the world, from China to the former Yugoslavia, Latin America and Africa. The work will describe the methodological richness of Masini's approach, in particular with regard to the United Nations project. In this way, one year after her death, the authors wish not only to pay homage to Eleonora Barbieri Masini as a great theorist, but also as a tireless researcher, who gave meaning to social research as an essential element of anticipation (Poli, 2017). With her work in the field, she gave all the futurists proof that the research into futures can indeed improve the human condition in general – and that of women in particular.