The body of this paper is divided into three sections, each of which relates to the position of women in science. The authors discuss the extent of the participation of women in science careers, their motivational characteristics, the background of successful women, and the barriers presented to women in science careers. A historical perspective of the position of women in society, ranging from the middle ages to the present time, is the focus of the paper. The authors use a demographic and psychosocial approach in discussing the current status of the participation of women in science. The report reveals present patterns and future trends in education and employment for women in science. (Author/SA)