x Press | GeekGirlCon

Press Pass Applications Now Open!

Source: Terence Tolman. Description: A photo of a GGC photographer who appears to be taking a photo of the viewer.

Press and media geeks, applications are officially open for GeekGirlCon’18 Press Passes! Whether you’re an independent content creator (YouTuber, Twitch Streamer, blogger, etc.) or a large-media-outlet representative, if you support our mission of celebrating, honoring, and uniting women in STEM, media, arts, and every other geeky pursuit, we’d love to have you help us spread the GeekGirl word. GGC’18 is set to be our biggest year yet, and if you want special press access to all of the geeky fun, turn in your Press Pass request today!

Got questions? Send us an email at pressrelations@geekgirlcon.com!

Caitlin Foskey
“Rock On!”

GeekGirlCon in the News!

It’s been a week since the success of GeekGirlCon ’15, and if you’re already missing it, here’s a roundup of some of the fantastic press we’ve received following our con:

Conshark wrote up a recap of the overall event, highlighting that what makes GeekGirlCon unique is our focus on our community, and Persephone Magazine also offers a great summary of our con, including some livetweets from our panels and a cosplay photo gallery. Becky from No Continues Media describes our con as “one of the most immersive experiences as an attendee I’ve ever had at a convention”, and Whiletrue.do has a short but heartwarming piece on three ways she was inspired at GeekGirlCon. Nicole from Across the Board Games has a recap where she also recounts her experience as an exhibitor and panelist, and describes GeekGirlCon as her favorite convention in Seattle!

Photo by Danny Ngan Photography.

Photo by Danny Ngan Photography.

For those of you who like pictures, Jetspace has a great photographic summary of the highlights from the convention, and Bitch Media has a lovely rundown of some of the costumes and events. Of course, GeekGirlCon wouldn’t be GeekGirlCon without a healthy dose of cosplay; GeekMom’s cosplay gallery shows off some of the awesome costumes from the weekend. GeekMom also gives us the lowdown on some of the swag she found on our exhibitor floor, ranging from geeky food, to amazing apparel, to many fluffy, cute things.

Although we hardworking staffers will provide you with panel recaps throughout the coming year, sometimes we get beaten to the punch by our amazing con attendees. [Re]meshed.com has a detailed article on Anita Sarkeesian and Zoe Quinn’s packed panel, and Sonja from Soultamer Gaming has produced not one, but three panel write-ups on QUILTBAGs in Geekdom, the representation of Asians in the media, and Elsa S. Henry’s panel, Blind Lady Versus, where she demonstrates what gaming is like for blind and low vision players. She’s also got a piece on our Kick-Off event from the Friday night before the con. Talk about dedication!

Photo by Nicole Tanner of Pixelkin.

Photo by Nicole Tanner of Pixelkin.

One of the things that GeekGirlCon prides itself on is its family-friendly focus. Nicole from Pixelkin did a lovely write-up about how GeekGirlCon was a great way to bond with her daughter. We also even got a whole episode on a gaming podcast! Here’s Epic Drop’s episode discussion what GeekGirlCon is about, and recapping how much fun the family had, including an interview with a five-year-old Geek Girl!

Finally, we also got coverage from MSNBC in a video about cosplay and science, featuring our own Raychelle Burks and Torrey Stenmark!

Have you come across any other press for GeekGirlCon? Let us know in the comments below!

JC Lau
“Rock On!”

How I Almost Became a Pharmacist

by GeekGirlCon Copy Writer Sarah “SG-1” Grant

This is what I would have looked like behind the pharmacy counter!

This is what I would have looked like behind the pharmacy counter!

Photo credit

I’m surrounded by intelligent women and men in my life; I always have been. From the time I was in grade school and hung out more with the teachers than the kids my own age, all the way up until now–just look around the room at any GeekGirlCon meeting! It can be fairly intimidating at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I always knew I was book-smart. I read every single thing I could get my hands on (unless it was something my big brother told me I had to read, and then I ignored it entirely), loved playing trivia games of all kinds, and would far rather watch “Jeopardy!” than any other television show. I was in the upper levels in all of my classes, reading at grade levels three or four higher than where I actually was in school. My mom tells me that a lot of the split level classes in my grade school happened when my brother and I were there; the teachers had to split up classes and send us to different grades for specific classes like reading and math. So yes, I’ve always been told I’m smart.

I never felt comfortable with math, though. Math tests were hard, and we never had enough time to do them. I remember–and still have nightmares from–speed tests in second grade, where we had five minutes to finish ten math problems, and anything not done was marked wrong. I had what I know now were anxiety attacks around those tests, but at the time, I just felt like I was dumb.

Just looking at this is making me nervous.

Just looking at this is making me nervous.

Photo credit

A lot of that feeling transitioned into junior high and high school, where math just kept getting harder. I didn’t understand algebra, and geometry was just mystifying. Why did I have to “prove” all of these things that we already knew?? I managed to get okay math grades, but never without much trepidation around report card time. My science classes–physical science, biology, and chemistry included–were much the same. I never thought I was doing anything right, but I managed good grades anyway.

In college, I chose English as my major, for several reasons. First, I got to read stuff. Books, plays, poems, more books–what could ever be wrong with that? Second, the hardest science class I took was Geology 306, nicknamed “Rocks for Jocks”, which was a notoriously easy class that the entire university sports program apparently took at one time or another. Third, I didn’t have to take ANY math. None whatsoever. No math for my English degree? Yes, please!

Fast forward to the year after I graduated from college. I worked full time for my former university as an administrative assistant, but was bored and restless with very little to do after work. One of my roommates convinced me to get a job as a pharmacy technician at the Walgreens where her mom was a pharmacist, and where my roommate herself was a pharmacy intern. My job interview consisted of the pharmacy manager shaking my hand, and then asking me when I could start. Apparently, my roommate and her mom had told the manager that I would be perfect for the job, and he listened to them.

At one point in my seven year pharmacy career, I decided I wanted to become a pharmacist. I had seen and worked for many pharmacists, and I knew I could do what they did. The sticking point: pharmacy schools don’t accept people with English degrees until they’ve taken a lot of pre-pharmacy courses. I started over completely in a pre-algebra class and a pre-chemistry class to see if I could actually do it.

And it was easy. I got As straight through math and chemistry, Bs in biology and physics.

Best grades I ever got!

Best grades I ever got!

Image by Sayed Alamy

I’d spent the majority of my life thinking I was dumb where math and science were concerned, which brought down my self-esteem considerably. As it turned out, not only was I not math and science dumb, I was actually pretty good at it. I soared through three semesters of math with no problems, even thriving under the strict tutelage of my trigonometry professor–a grumpy,  old-school Russian professor who lived and grew up in the Soviet Union. He taught me to rely more on my brain than my calculator, which was awesome and very empowering. Also, after my semester of pre-chemistry, that chemistry professor selected me to become a lab assistant for several of her classes in the following semesters. My next chemistry professor, also a woman, showed us different ways to solve chemical problems of all kinds. She encouraged me each time I spoke to her, in every class and every lab. To this day, Professor Phillips is one of my favorite teachers, and I think of her and her teaching abilities whenever I have to find different ways to attack a problem in any aspect of my life.

I didn’t end up becoming a pharmacist after all, but that had more to do with choosing the profession for the dollar signs attached to it than with my abilities to get through the schooling. If I had stayed on that path, I would be in my third year of working as a pharmacist right now–and I truly believe that I would be dreadfully unhappy.

The reason I’ve always been so into books and reading is because words–their creation, use, and near-infinite combinations–are what truly fascinate me. Money is important as a way to keep a roof over my head, but money isn’t what excites me. My friend Bridgett helped me come to that conclusion over a calculus project, and I will be grateful to her for the rest of my life. It’s not easy to work with all the words, but the struggle is definitely what makes it worth it–and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Words, words, words...

Words, words, words…

Photo credit

Have YOU ever had a realization like this one in your life?

 

GeekGirlCon
“Rock On!”

GeekGirlCon Responds to the NY Times and Bellafante’s Review of Game of Thrones

To the Editor at the New York Times:

We at GeekGirlCon, a Seattle nonprofit for geeky women, take exception to Ginia Bellafante’s statement that “no woman alive” would be interested in George R. R. Martin’s “boy fiction” and watch HBO’s Game of Thrones. Her generalization of women and our lack of interest in the fantasy genre is uniformed and untrue.

GeekGirlCon is dedicated to fighting the marginalization of girl geeks and the stereotype perpetuated in this review: that fantasy and sci-fi is for boys only and too complex for women unless it has romantic overtones. Please know there are many, many women reading and enjoying the “boy fiction” as is–bloody, gritty, layered, and complex–without need of Sex and the City-style sex and shoe shopping.

If Ms. Bellefante would like to meet smart, accomplished women, who demand fantasy titles in their book clubs, we invite her to Seattle on October 8-9th for the first annual GeekGirlCon.

For Geek Girls everywhere,
Erica McGillivray
President GeekGirlCon

Winter Downs
“Rock On!”

GeekGirlCon Goes to Wondercon

San Francisco, CA, April 2nd, Come out and meet the women of GeekGirlCon for some conversation, cocktails and a wonderful view of San Francisco at The View, in Wondercon’s official headquarter hotel, the San Francisco Marriott.

Several staff members from GeekGirlCon are coming to San Francisco to take part in the fun that Wondercon is sure to be, and they want to see you! “We can talk about what treasures we’ve discovered at Wondercon, who we’ve gotten to meet, share photos, and talk about what’s planned for GeekGirlCon,” says Jennifer K. Stuller, GeekGirlCon’s Programming Director.

The View is located inside the San Francisco Marriott hotel, located on the 39th floor of the building. Cocktails and a full dinner menu are available. GeekGirlCon staff members will be arriving at 7:00pm sharp and staying until the crowd disperses. They will have GeekGirlCon swag, so be sure to stop by and say hello.

If you can’t make it Saturday night, why not come to see Stuller and GeekGirlCon Special Guest Trina Robbins give their talk A Brief Herstory of Gum Shoe Gals, Spy-Fi Sheroes, and Private Dick Chicks from 12:30-1:30pm on Sunday, April 3rd in Room 204/206? It’s sure to be an informative panel you won’t want to miss.

GeekGirlCon is a non-profit organization passionate about promoting women’s contributions to geek culture. We are having our first annual convention October 8 and 9, 2011 in Seattle at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms. To find out more about GeekGirlCon visit http://www.geekgirlcon.com.

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Contact: Kit Embleton
GeekGirlCon Public Relations Assistant
Email: prassistant@geekgirlcon.com

Shiboo_Krismer
“Rock On!”

Get Your Geek On Burlesque

A Night of Burlesque Dancing Empowers Local Women

Seattle, Washington, March 21, 2011 – For one night only, GeekGirlCon is excited to bring you a night of geeky burlesque dancing and live jazz music at the Solo Bar in Queen Anne, starting at 7:30pm. Bring your opera glasses; it is sure to be a full house!

GeekGirlCon presents a celebration of women by hosting an evening of burlesque dancing that is sure to thrill you. “GeekGirlCon extols female involvement in all fields of Geek culture. The underpinning of this is having women proudly own themselves and what they love. Burlesque is exactly that. It is playful, sexy and above all, it is empowering,” says GeekGirlCon’s president, Erica McGillivray.

The show features Miss Elaine Yes, Laela Lovechild and more, with live music provided by the Ron Weinstein Trio. The show will begin at 7:30pm sharp at the Solo Bar, 200 Roy Street in Seattle; this is a 21+ event, and the cover is $10. Happy hour will be all night, but 9:00pm is when the show is over, so don’t miss out on the fun.

In addition, the burlesque show is the perfect place to drop off a new, unwrapped toy for GeekGirlCon’s TARDIS. All of the toys will be donated to Seattle Children’s Hospital when the TARDIS is full, so help GeekGirlCon fill it up.

GeekGirlCon is a non-profit organization passionate about promoting women’s contributions to geek culture. We are having our first annual convention October 8 and 9, 2011 in Seattle at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms. To find out more about GeekGirlCon visit http://www.geekgirlcon.com.

Contact Information:
Kit Embleton,
Assistant Public Relations Manager
GeekGirlCon

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Shiboo_Krismer
“Rock On!”

Geek Girls Edit Wikipedia

Geek Girls Edit Wikipedia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/19/2011

What: Geek Girls Edit Wikipedia
When:
Friday, March 11th – Sunday, March 13th
Who: You, geek girl. Anywhere with an internet connection.

Seattle, WA, February 2011 — GeekGirlCon, Nerds in Babeland, and Geek Girls Network present Geek Girls Edit Wikipedia, an activity any geek girl with an internet connection can participate in. For one amazing weekend, we are encouraging geeky women to go on Wikipedia and create and edit articles about our favorite geeky topics.

Women account for only 15% of all Wikipedia contributions, and we want to raise this participation rate. We know many of you have expertise in a wide variety of topics and can contribute valuable information to Wikipedia, which has become the largest and most popular general reference work on the Internet. Wikipedia is the 7th most visited website; and more women’s knowledge needs to be added to this resource.

Please join us by adding to this great community knowledge base. You can chat about your contributions or keep a record of what you’ve edited over on GeekGirlCon’s forums.

GeekGirlCon is a non-profit organization passionate about promoting women’s contributions to geek culture. We are having our first annual convention October 8 and 9, 2011 in Seattle at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms. To find out more about GeekGirlCon visit http://www.geekgirlcon.com.

Contact Information:
Erica McGillivray
President and Marketing Director, GeekGirlCon
marketing@geekgirlcon.com
http://www.geekgirlcon.com

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Winter Downs
“Rock On!”

Women in Horror is Calling for Your Blood!

Blood Drives Organized Worldwide due to Shortages in Blood Banks

Seattle, WA, February 2011 – February is Women in Horror Recognition Month, and what better way to celebrate than to have your blood drawn! All around the US, Canada and UK, people are showcasing the talents of women involved in the horror genre through events and parties. Women in Horror and Twisted Twins Productions hopes celebrants will donate blood to a local center, as the stock at blood banks is the lowest it has been in a decade.

GeekGirlCon is getting in on the action, too! Every minute, someone somewhere needs blood, and we are stepping up to the challenge in the Puget Sound area. Amanda McGall, our Community Outreach Coordinator, says, “Only three percent of the United States’ population donates, and the blood banks are very much in need. While playfully inviting men and women to donate blood in honor of women who hack, slash, and bathe in it, Women in Horror Month also asks people to recognize female contribution to the genre in a powerful way .” As we ourselves will be donating what we have to give, there has never been a more opportune time for you to donate, as well!

The GeekGirlCon staff members will be gathering together at the Puget Sound Blood Center in North Seattle on Saturday, February 26th from 9:15 to 10:45am in order to donate. If you’re interested in meeting the GeekGirlCon staff to donate, please call the Puget Sound Blood Center at 206-526-1970 and set up an appointment. If you have any questions about giving blood, you can check the Puget Sound Blood Center’s website or the website of your chosen donation location. Once you’ve donated, be sure to post pictures to the GeekGirlCon Facebook page with proof! We will do a drawing at the end of the month for some fabulous prizes and alert the winners via Facebook.

GeekGirlCon is a non-profit organization passionate about promoting women’s contributions to geek culture. We are having our first annual convention October 8 and 9, 2011 in Seattle at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms. To find out more about GeekGirlCon visit http://www.geekgirlcon.com.

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Kit Embleton,
Assistant Public Relations Manager
prassistant@geekgirlcon.com

Shiboo_Krismer
“Rock On!”

Geeks Come Out for The Big Climb

GeekGirlCon to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Seattle, Washington – On March 20th, 2011, people from all over the Puget Sound area will be gathering at the Columbia Center in Downtown Seattle in order to climb 69 flights of stairs to raise funds and awareness for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma. This year, GeekGirlCon is putting together a team.

2011 is the 25th anniversary of The Big Climb, so the Washington/Alaska chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) wants to make this the biggest climb ever! Community Outreach Coordinator for GeekGirlCon Amanda McGall says, “GeekGirlCon is getting involved in the Big Climb because the event is inspiring, big in heart, and crucial in its purpose. This is an amazing way to support those who are fighting blood cancers while making people think about their own health as they face a big physical challenge that is small in comparison to those who struggle with cancer.” It is possible for us to make a difference in the lives of those affected by these diseases, so let’s get out there and do it! In 2010, over 400 teams joined the climb, and over $1.6 million dollars were raised in support of the LLS.

If you’re interested in joining The Big Climb with your own team, be sure to register on their website. According to the registration page, the event is already over 75% full, so you better hurry! Entry fees are currently $40 per person and scheduled to go up to $60 after March 14th; in addition, each person is required to raise at least $50 for their team. If you don’t feel up to the climb, but you still want to help out, you can donate to the GeekGirlCon team on their Big Climb team page.

GeekGirlCon is a non-profit organization passionate about promoting women’s contributions to geek culture. We are having our first annual convention October 8 and 9, 2011 in Seattle at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms. To find out more about GeekGirlCon visit http://www.geekgirlcon.com.

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Kit Embleton,
Assistant Public Relations Manager
prassistant@geekgirlcon.com

Shiboo_Krismer
“Rock On!”

Geeks Gather to Build a TARDIS for the Time Lord and Charity

GeekGirlCon enters Dr. Who Contest and Provides for Future Geek Generations
Seattle, WA, February 2011 – GeekGirlCon staff will be participating in BBC America’s Doctor Who TARDIS building contest and will be auctioning off their entry at their upcoming convention.
Starting February 22, construction of the TARDIS will begin at the home of Julia Santo, GeekGirlCon’s Volunteer Coordinator and Secretary.  Building will continue every Tuesday at 6:30pm until completion with a goal of finishing construction in just four weeks. “It doesn’t really matter if we win,” Jason Heilpern, GeekGirlCon’s Gaming Coordinator and Doctor Who enthusiast, says. “It’ll be a blast putting it together.” Anyone interested in helping out with this project can email Julia for directions at volunteer@geekgirlcon.com.
The TARDIS will be auctioned off at GeekGirlCon in October and the proceeds donated to special needs children’s charities. Along with the money raised for the TARDIS, GeekGirlCon would like to ask their followers to think of what made them a geek. Be it Star Trek, comics, math class, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, people are encouraged to purchase an item that represents that fandom.  These items will be placed inside the TARDIS and then also donated to charity, encouraging a new geek generation.

“GeekGirlCon strives to give back to the community and inspire geeks of future generations by sharing our passions while helping those in need,” says Erica McGillivray, President & Marketing Director of GeekGirlCon.  For more information please go to our Facebook event page.  Help us fill the TARDIS with geeky goodness!

All gift donations should be sent to:
GeekGirlCon
815 1st Avenue
#315
Seattle, WA 98104-1404

GeekGirlCon is a non-profit organization passionate about promoting women’s contributions to geek culture. We are having our first annual convention October 8 and 9, 2011 in Seattle at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms. To find out more about GeekGirlCon visit http://www.geekgirlcon.com.

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Contact: Kiri Callaghan
GeekGirlCon Public Relations Manager
Email: pr@geekgirlcon.com

Shiboo_Krismer
“Rock On!”

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