This snapshot describes the role of women in the U.S. labor force, both historically and in the present day. Shortly after World War II, women accounted for less than one-third of the labor force; however, factors such as technological changes, shifting societal norms, and expanded access to higher education have served to dramatically increase the role of female workers in the U.S. workforce since then. Today, the female labor force participation rate stands at nearly 60% and women account for about 47% of the employed population. Given this dramatic transformation, an objective understanding of the role of women in the labor force is critically important for employers, policymakers, and the population at large.