A Note From Di

Have you noticed that our Forum is growing exponentially? Have you read Rebecca’s posts on the amount of press we’re receiving?

As Billie Jean King once said, “We all deserve the cake and icing.”

No more settling for skeptical crumbs. It appears that the ladies are movin’ on up and our inaccurately stereotyped male counterparts are taking notice (and enjoying the company).

Once a cryptid candidate, the female skeptic seems to be flourishing in the environment we’ve provided for her. She can discuss PMS, cosmetics, Barbie™, psychics, parenting and other such topics that directly affect her life and require some serious critical thinking on her behalf. More importantly, she can discuss what it is like to be a strong, independent woman in a community in which she is a distinct minority in a manner that puts her at ease, makes her feel welcome and validates her opinions.

I think that many women are under the assumption that in order to be a skeptic you have to be a scientist or have a wall in your study filled with impressive looking academic credentials. While I am currently working towards an advanced degree (i.e. a Master of Science in Information Assurance with a specialization in digital forensics), it does not mean that I am better than anyone else because of it, nor does not make me a better skeptic. After all, you don’t need a degree to think or ask intelligent questions. You just need an open mind and the courage to speak what is on it. In that regard, skepticism has had a positive influence on my scholastic endeavors and career as an IT auditor.

Admittedly, I am still new to skepticism. However, if it weren’t for Skepchicks, I doubt that I would have gotten as involved as I am now. I am encouraged by the numerous emails singing our praise and thanking us for providing a place where women can speak freely about science, religion, scams aimed at women, etc. and not feel intimidated or put off by the image that skeptics are all a bunch of curmudgeonly old men touting their own intellectual superiority. On the contrary, the men who participate in the forum are polite, respectful and genuinely delighted to have smart women with whom they can share their thoughts and experiences.

We should all take pride in what we’re accomplishing here. We ARE making a difference. Our goal now is to sustain the momentum.

Now if we could just persuade a few of those elusive (professional) female magicians to join our ranks…that would be sweet.

A Note from Rebecca

Do former professional female magicians count? Ahem.

Enjoy this fabulous issue, everyone!

ISSUE 5 CREDITS

Skepchick-in-Chief
Rebecca Watson

Managing Editor
Diane Perry

News Editor
Chani Overli

Contributing Writers
Lynette Davidson, Donna Druchunas, Chris Blohm, Jamila Bey-Greenhouse, Jesús Pineda, Benjamin Radford, Mike McRae, Ed Rabin

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"Flash Guru" Nick

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