The number of women participating in intercollegiate debate is proportionately lower than their representation on campuses. Furthermore, women's rate of success at the highest level of the Cross Examination Debate Association national competition is far lower than their representation in the organization. However, as women enter fields such as law, business, and politics, they are at a disadvantage if they have not been involved in a program which has been proven to be a guarantor of a higher level of professional success. The personal and professional benefits to those who participate in intercollegiate debate are documented: they employ three communication skills (analysis, delivery, and organization) better than those without debate experience; they improve their critical thinking skills; and debate provides excellent pre-professional training in problem solving, critical thinking, and reasoning persuasively. The responsibility for helping women succeed in debate competition lies with the individual coach. Observations in the areas of relationships, the difference between feminine and masculine styles of speaking, and the role consensus-making plays in argument provide guidelines which a coach might use in working with women debaters. (Contains 15 references.) (NH)