Women as bellwethers of diversity in entomology

Women are the largest visibly recognizable "minority" in the sciences. Efforts to increase their numbers in the pipeline as students, in the workplace, in positions of authority or leadership, and recognition for their work in terms of awards and salary, may be transferable to other groups whose diversity we try to encourage and promote. There are unique qualities that affect discussions of women, such as their ability to bear children, but obvious biology aside: recognizing and resolving issues such as overt and implicit bias, ensuring that meetings and workspaces are safe and free of harassment, and taking proactive steps toward recruitment and retention of women and recognizing their contributions, all help pave the way for encouraging and sustaining diversity in all its aspects.