This paper is divided into three sections. In the first, we highlight the results of statistical investigations into the status of women in astronomy in the US. In the second section, we discuss some of the likely reasons for the lack of equal representation by women in astronomy and in the final section, we discuss some the suggestions for how to improve things. Much of the information presented here was taken from the proceedings of theWomen in Astronomymeeting held in Baltimore in 1992.

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... mendations from that meeting, have been formalized in theBaltimore Charter. The Baltimore Charter has been endorsed by a number of universities and institutions in America, including the NSF, NASA, and the AAS.