The Tipitaka is full of stories of ordinary, local, "lay" people who came to do extra-ordinary deeds and to become extra-ordinary persons. The story of ขุชชุตรา (ขุด ชะ ตรา) อริยสาวิกา is one of a genius in humble backgrounf and humped body but who shone brightly when treated equally. She excelled in many different ways (พระพุทธดำรัสยกย่องว่าเป็นเอตทัคคะในด้านเป็นพหูสูต). In the modern time, she would probably be called Dr ขุชชุตรา (Doctor of Dhamma and ... and ...) ;-)

Thanks Dr Ple and Dr Yumi.