A literature review was conducted to determine how women's role was seen in vocational education and development. The study reviewed the historical background of occupational gender segregation related to vocational education, reviewed and described the role of women and division of labor, and summarized labor market statistics concerning females in nontraditional vocational areas. Some of the conclusions drawn from the literature review are as follows: (1) vocational education grew out of the necessity to train workers in smokestack industries, but it has expanded its mission and clientele since the late 19th century; (2) sex equity would be socially useful in U.S. society; (3) more women in all age categories will enter the work force full time in a wider variety of occupations; (4) development has been viewed as the panacea for the economic ills of less-developed countries, yet in all countries women have lost ground relative to men as development has progressed; (5) public policy supports but does not ensure the entrance of women into nontraditional employment and training; (6) barriers inhibiting entry of women into nontraditional training and employment are complex and interrelated; and (7) strategies to overcome barriers must focus on changing institutions and providing individual support to women. (23 references) (KC)