In spring 2011, public higher education is under attack as never before. Public institutions have been targeted for drastic cuts in the past, but now the attacks are aimed at the very core of the educational enterprise and at the basic rights of college faculty and staff. This, in turn, has the potential of placing at risk the practices and policies that have arisen on campuses around the country to diversify the racial, ethnic and gender composition of the faculty corps. Diversity-related efforts do cost money, of course, and periodic budget crises can create situations in which institutions may sacrifice faculty diversity efforts on the altar of financial exigency. By undertaking a series of publications on diversity issues, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is saying that it is always time to take action to create and maintain a diverse faculty and staff corps. Even in times of budgetary crisis (which seem to be all the time, these days) it is critical to ensure that the people who staff institutions of higher education reflect the great diversity of students and of the nation as a whole. This report focuses on educational pathways for women and on recruitment and retention of women faculty in higher education. This report pays particular attention to issues relevant to ensuring that the academy is a welcoming place for women and an environment in which they can succeed in their chosen fields. In that regard, this report offers specific recommendations for making positive change, including: (1) Correcting inequities in compensation; (2) Expanding family-friendly policies on campus; (3) Clarifying and providing more flexibility in tenure and promotion policies; (4) Fostering opportunities for women in math and science; and (5) Ensuring that women have a voice in their workplace and in their union. (Contains 4 figures and 60 endnotes.)