The number of women who elect to study at the community college has escalated dramatically during the last three decades. The U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that of the 111,607 associate degrees awarded in 1965-1966, 47,828 (43%) were earned by women. In 1993-1994, 542,449 associate degrees were earned, with 321,459 (59%) being awarded to women. The Department of Education also reports that in the fall of 1970, 40% of the 2,195,412 students in public two-year colleges were women. By 1998, 58% of the 5,277,829 community college students were women. Although NCES categories for data collection do not isolate male and female student populations in community colleges by age, it is known that 60% of the public community college students enrolled in the fall of 1995 were 22 or older. Therefore, it is likely that the largest percentage of the community college student population--women--is largely comprised of non-traditionally aged students. This report presents a historic framework in which to examine the influences that have led re-entry women students and community college programs to their current status. This historic framework is followed by a more complete look at the presence of women in community colleges today. Interview protocol appended. (Contains 111 references.) (NB)