This study investigates gender differences in stress response to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Two hundred and eleven subjects participated in this study; 108 men and 103 women; the racial composition of the sample was approximately 73% Caucasian, 15% Asian-American, 9% Hispanic, 2% African-American, and 1% Native American. All participants completed two standardized stress measures and answered open-ended questions regarding their experience of the earthquake. Results showed that women clearly reported experiencing greater amounts of stress in response to the earthquake. Women also estimated that the earthquake lasted significantly longer than did men. These results are explained by the greater acceptance in our society for women to express emotions, particularly stress-related emotions.