When we say geeks of all types are welcome at GeekGirlCon, we truly mean it. You won’t be challenged to prove your love for Star Trek: The Next Generation by sketching the seating chart for Ten Forward, demonstrate your Star Wars knowledge with the cargo capacity of an Imperial I-Class Star Destroyer, or name every item in Batman’s utility belt. Whether you know everything there is to know about one thing, one thing about everything, or are just starting out in your geeky journey, you are welcome at GeekGirlCon!
Don’t believe us? Check out this No Geek Cred Required blog post we shared in advance of our convention last year.
Starting with a foundation of “no geek cred required,” we also believe it is important that we actively support women and girls in a range of passions—to make sure they feel supported, welcomed, and encouraged. We want to put this in action by helping geek girls support one another.
Credit: xkcd.com
And as GeekGirlCon ‘12 approaches in just a few days, we want to dissect what it means for geek girls to support one another. We believe there is an important underlying message at the core of this phrase—one that emphasizes support over cattiness, encouragement over judgment, collaboration over competition.
Women and girls today live in a society where they are constantly encouraged to care about how they look rather than what they know or what they do. Much of mainstream television showcases female relationships where women compete with one another, attack or belittle one another, or otherwise get ahead by undercutting other women. Other media and advertising bombard us with messages that our bodies aren’t good enough, that we aren’t whole without larger bra sizes, smaller tummies, or perfect skin.
It is no surprise these constant messages impact our behavior. Women can also be harsh critics of other women. How often do we hear things like, “I can’t believe she’s wearing that,” or “Lay off the ice cream,” or bond with other women by “hating” someone for being prettier, skinnier, or younger?
But we know there is a different path, a path that recognizes we should be supporting each other. That’s particularly true in geekdom. We all know that women can face rejection, hostility, or harassment in video games, online communities, science, and technology. So how can we start solving this problem?
We can be encouraging fellow geeky women and girls to find out where their passions truly lie, to find something to believe in that goes beyond the harmful media messages. Instead of telling a woman she needs to go away because she isn’t enough of a geek, we should be excited she wants to venture into our world in the first place. We should be inviting these women—friends, coworkers, family—to Doctor Who or Buffy marathons, or passing along our favorite comic books or craft projects. We should help each woman find her niche, niches, or just learn about something we know and love—and celebrate it with her.
Think about your best friend in the world. Think about what makes them a good friend. Perhaps it’s the fact that they’ll tell you when you have something in your teeth. Or maybe they are a great friend because they are the kind of person who will share the last piece of cake with you.
Chances are, this person has remained a best friend because they believe in you. They believe in your potential, they support you in your endeavors, and they celebrate your successes.
So, for those who are new to GeekGirlCon, we say “welcome,” and “we believe in you.” Whatever you love, whatever you “geek out” about, we think it sounds awesome. For our veterans, thank you for helping us create a community full of best friends who believe in and celebrate one another.
We hope to see you at our convention—it is one of the best ways we can show the world that geek girls exist, and we support each other.
Many of you expressed total excitement when you saw the artwork of dresses that embodied Avengers characters. These drawings came from Amanda Hemmons, a 25-year-old Seattle artist.
Amanda is also daughter of Big Fish Games’ Portuguese language editor, and when she reached out to her mom about creating a similar drawing featuring video game characters, Big Fish Games jumped at the opportunity.
Check out Amanda’s designs below, which Big Fish Games will have on display at GeekGirlCon ‘12. As GeekGirlCon President Erica McGillivray mentioned in a Wired interview about the designs, we love that they feature a range of clothing styles and include different body types and ethnicities. On top of that, these are some really great interpretations that we think will inspire cosplayers.
Could you guess all the video game characters? You can confirm your guesses over at Big Fish Games’ blog.
Be sure to check them out in person at our convention this weekend (and don’t forget to buy your passes before we sell out).
Hello, everyone! GeekGirlCon ’12 takes place in less than a week, which gives us just enough time for a Geek of the Month staff profile.
August’s Geek of the Month is Amanda Powter, a copywriter here at GeekGirlCon. Amanda also served as project manager for our programming booklet. We honestly couldn’t have put it all together without her amazing organization, Excel, and copy-editing skills. If you see Amanda at the convention, be sure to say hello and thank her for all she’s done.
In the meantime, here are some more details about Amanda.
Name: Amanda Powter Occupation: Director of Product Management in Software Development Position in GeekGirlCon: Copywriter
1: What are you geeky about right now?
So many things. I’ve been working a lot with things like descriptive metadata, faceted classification, and polyhierarchical taxonomies for television programming and related areas. I’m fortunate to be able to geek out about data almost every day in my job. Not much makes me happier than delivering useful information products and systems out of crazy amounts of messy data. I also like to get elbow-deep in the data itself and am working to take my SQL/query skills to the next level with new tools and ways of playing with data. On the other side, I have been experimenting with modernist cuisine as I work my way through some ofthe tomes. My early attempts have not been particularly successful, but I’m determined to get some serious spherification going on. I like the mix of abstract-ish and tangible/edible. And sous vide is just kinda cool.
2: How did you find out about GeekGirlCon?
I actually don’t remember–probably from my blogroll. I just remember hearing about it, buying a pass early on, and then watching with interest over the months leading up to the con. The beauty of the execution of that first con and the consistent energy the whole time were really impressive.
3: Why did you choose to get involved with GeekGirlCon?
I attended GeekGirlCon ‘11 and had a great time. It was only my second con, but I loved it and thought it was organized incredibly well. That amazing execution was a huge part of wanting to join. I wanted to contribute, make geeky women friends, and be part of an organization I already admired.
4: What’s your favorite thing about GeekGirlCon?
No “geek cred” required. I consider myself a “geek of all trades,” which might run counter to the very definition of “geek” for some people. I love the fact that “geek” has become more inclusive, and I think that actually makes it even better to be a geek. There’s a power in the commonalities of geekery, but it is so much stronger when that comes from diversity and incorporates differences.
5: What’s the best thing about being a geek?
The ability to get hopelessly, unabashedly lost in something just because it is–whatever it is.
Hey everyone! We’re all gearing up for another successful GeekGirlCon and have put together this list for you to make sure you’re ready to go, too!
Planning is key. Even for the convention veteran, a little bit of planning can go a long way to a better con experience.
What to wear, what to wear!
For those of you that aren’t going to be in cosplay (see below) this year, dressing in layers with comfortable shoes is best. GeekGirlCon ‘12 may be in the beginning of August, but our weather in the Pacific Northwest can and will fluctuate. Bring a light jacket or a sweater for those less than sunny days.
Cosplay
Cosplay is the practice of dressing up in a costume to resemble a character. It’s not unusual to see cosplayers running about at a convention, and GeekGirlCon ‘12 will be no different. Of course, we do want people to keep it family friendly and safe. If you’re thinking about joining the crowd and wearing a costume, remember it must be “street legal” and no thongs or g-strings. You may be asked to cover up if we receive complaints or if GeekGirlCon staff deem the cosplay is appropriate for all ages.
Cosplay Weapons
Some cosplayers have weapons like pistols, shotguns, daggers, swords, staves, and other accoutrements that are key elements of the characters they portray. If you are planning to cosplay with any weapons please read our Cosplay Weapons policy. If you are new to cosplay, look for the orange tip or the “peace bonding” on weapons. Peace bonding is a ziptie that identifies your weapon to staff and attendees as safe and approved.
Photo etiquette
Many folks appreciate a great costume. If you are one of those who love to look at others’ garb and take pictures, please be considerate and ask permission prior to taking their picture. This even applies to non-costumed folks that might be wearing “THE BEST T-SHIRT EVER” or socks, or hat, or whatever. Ask first.
Trying to see it all
Carefully look over the programming of both Saturday and Sunday and plot out what ideally you would like to see. Some decisions will have to be made, you may have to choose between two or even more panels that you really, really want to see. But if you don’t plan, you might miss everything all together. Make sure you also set some time aside to check out the vendors!
Registration
Everyone must exchange their ticket for a badge at the Registration Table. Even if you’ve pre-registered, you still need to get your badge.
We’re all friends here
Remember we’re all here because we love the same things. So be awesome to your fellow geek!
Food/Beverage
It sounds silly, but remember to eat and to drink plenty of water! Sometimes you can get a bit overwhelmed at a convention and forget the most basic standards of keeping yourself healthy and energized.
Hygiene
When you get a lot of people in one location, it can get a little crowded and create what a lot of us know as “Con Funk”. To avoid “Con Funk,” make sure you and all of your party members remember to shower and, equally important, don’t wear heavy colognes or perfumes. Last year someone wrote that GeekGirlCon ‘11 was the best smelling con ever! Let’s keep it that way. (And a bottle of hand sanitizer is a great accessory at cons these days.)
Help
If you’re ever confused about a procedure, lost, or just need directions, you can flag down one of our helpful volunteers who will be clearly marked (as they will be wearing bright yellow shirts that say ‘Agent’ on the back) and they’ll point you in the right direction. We also have an information booth on the first floor and staff hustling around the Con that are more than happy to assist you.
Suggestions
We appreciate any and all feedback! Please send all praise and suggestions to info@geekgirlcon.com or complete the post-con survey. Watch out website for details.
I have two words for today’s GeekGirlCon ‘12 preview: Anita Sarkeesian. We are incredibly lucky to have her at our convention this year. If you didn’t know her name prior to this year, it is likely you have heard about her by now. She’s been busy lately.
For those who need the introduction, Anita is a feminist pop culture critic who produces an ongoing web series of video commentaries from a feminist/fangirl perspective at FeministFrequency.com. She explores representations of race, gender, sexuality, class, and ability in popular culture.
Recently, Anita posted a Kickstarter project to raise money for a video series, “Tropes vs Women in Video Games,” that explored female character stereotypes throughout the history of the gaming industry.
Tropes vs. Women in Video Games Kickstarter
Despite the fact that she had yet to even produce one of the videos, the trolls deployed in full force. They left hateful comments on Anita’s YouTube video, repeatedly vandalized the Wikipedia page about her, and sent a number of threatening messages that went as far as threats of violence, death, sexual assault, and rape. This New Statesman article (Major trigger warning: there are some very disturbing examples) provides perhaps the most detailed look at how Anita was treated.
Anita didn’t back down, and neither did her supporters. You see, despite the horrible treatment, there is some good news to share. While she only asked for $6,000 to create this video series, Anita ended up raising over $158,000! Geeks and pop culture fans of all types came together to show their support for her project. Now that’s a movement we can all get behind.
We had a few moments to catch up with Anita and chat about this project, as well as the panels she’ll be participating in at GeekGirlCon ‘12. Enjoy!
1) Let’s talk about something positive! Tell us what it’s like to have a community rally behind you and support you, as many did with your Kickstarter project.
I’m actually not sure how to describe the feeling, but it was pretty incredible especially considering I wasn’t entirely sure I’d be able to raise my initial funding goal. In the midst of all the horrific (and at times scary) harassment, I received an outpouring of support by way of comments, private messages, video responses, and even fanart from both my long time supportive viewers and also from folks who had not heard of my web series before the Kickstarter. I feel inspired and tremendously lucky to have so many wonderful people defending and supporting me in the face of all the trolling, hate, and abuse.
2) What messages are you hoping to share at GeekGirlCon ’12?
This year I’ll be participating in a few different panels and workshops. In “Go Make Me A Sandwich: Barriers to Women’s Participation in Online and Fan Spaces,” I’ll be sharing my experiences with online harassment, as well as some strategies other women can hopefully use to protect themselves online.
During “Let’s Get Critical: Fans, Creators, and Social Justice,” I’ll be talking about the complexities of being a fan within a media landscape that is largely created for (and by) straight, white men and how we can love our fandoms while simultaneously being critical of the more problematic aspects.
Lastly, I’m co-facilitating a video making workshop called “Really Make Your Own Videoblog” with Reel Grrls. We are going to teach the basics of how to record a captivating and engaging video blog. We’re bringing filmmaking equipment and all participants will be invited to make their own videos during the workshop.
3) Aside from your panels, are there any panels or special guests you are particularly looking forward to seeing at GeekGirlCon ’12?
I’m excited about everything, and I’m trying to figure out a timey-wimey way to be at every single panel! I’m thrilled about the “Once More, with Feeling Buffy the Vampire Slayer Sing-Along” (I still believe it is one of the best hours of television, ever).
I’m looking forward to hearing Greg Rucka talk about “Why Men Write Women Poorly, and How to Get a Clue” and learning about Corrinne Yu’s experience working in the video game industry. I’m also really happy to see the subject of harassment in geek culture as the focus on a number of panels this year. I’m looking forward to learning about other women’s experiences and sharing strategies on building stronger communities to fight against sexism in geek spaces.
4) What sort of things are you geeking out about right now?
I am a big fan of the Portal video game series so I was anticipating the release of Kim Swift’s latest project this year. Quantum Conundrum is endearing and quite challenging, plus the whole game is narrated by John De Lancie giving it that extra geeky charm.
I also recently read a book series calledThe Steerswoman’s Road by Rosemary Kirstein. It’s such a great example of a captivating, creative and brilliant fantasy novel that stars a genuinely complex, interesting, female protagonist. I don’t want to spoil it for those that haven’t read it yet, but it’s now one of my all time favourite books which I recommend to everyone!
Thanks for your time, Anita! We look forward to hearing more from you at the convention.
If you can’t sit still with excitement, check out some of these events going on in August! This is also a great resource for out-of-towners who might be staying a few extra days in Seattle before or after out convention. If that’s you, be sure to check out our Seattle area guide for suggestions on restaurants, tourist attractions, and geeky hangouts to hit up.
Wednesday, August 1st, 5:00 PM-7:00 PM:Start-Up City’s Women in Tech Meet-Up* From the website: “Whether you’re an entrepreneur messing around with code or an Amazon developer, get involved to learn, meet or help other aspiring women who tech. Learn about strategies for success and the experiences of others. Come feel inspired! This first event will be a great opportunity for socializing and establishing a network for Seattle’s tech talent. Attendees at this event will have the opportunity to help define the direction and future of WIT events. Come contribute as thought leaders, network, drink, foster mentorships and make it memorable. Register today!” *Special note: We will be giving away one free pass to GeekGirlCon ‘12 at the meetup!
Friday, August 3rd, approx. 8:30 PM: Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s Free Outdoor Movie Series: Viva Las Vegas From the website: “Elvis Presley sings & dances his way through Sin City as racecar driver Lucky Jackson, with his eye on two prizes: red-hot swimming instructor Rusty Martin (Ann Margaret) and victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix.”
Friday, August 3rd – Sunday, August 5th:Mysterium From the website: A Myst convention by fans, for fans.
Monday, August 6th – Monday, August 27th:Illustrational Painting with Brian Snoddy From the website: “In this ongoing course, students are introduced to basic techniques of painting with the waterbased medium ‘gouache’. After four weeks of working in black and white, students are ready to continue to intermediate techniques, with a focus on texture, lighting and detail in full color. Note: Continuing students, or with instructor’s permission, can work in the intermediate stage.”
Wednesday, August 8th – Sunday, August 12th: ToorCamp From the webpage: “ToorCamp, the American hacker camp, first “launched” at the Titan-1 Missile Silo in Washington State in 2009. We’re continuing the tradition on the beautiful Washington Coast and are looking for groups to participate. Show off your crazy projects you’ve been working on, bring some ideas you want to hack on with the other technology experts that will be showing up, organize a campsite with all of your friends and show how awesome your group is, or just see what all the other groups are up to. It’s up to you!”
Friday, August 10th, approx. 8:30 PM: Three Dollar Cinema’s Free Outdoor Movie Series: The Wizard of Oz From the webpage: “Follow the Yellow Brick Road over the rainbow with Dorothy, Toto, and the whole gang in this queer-beloved classic of timeless fantasy, catchy songs, and must-have shoes.”
Saturday, August 11th – Sunday, August 12th:GeekGirlCon 2012 GeekGirlCon is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contribution of women in all aspects of geek culture. Connect with us through social media and meet other geeks at events and our annual convention!”
Saturday, August 11th, 5:00 – 6:20 PM: “Once More, With Feeling” Sing-Along* Hosts Clinton McClung, SIFF Programmer and founder of the popular “Once More with Feeling” event, and Jennifer K. Stuller, GeekGirlCon Programming Director & Author, lead you in a sing-along of the ground-breaking musical episode. Goody bags with interactive props will be available for a small fee, Buffy-Oke and trivia will comprise the pre-show and costumes are encouraged. Watch out for bunnies and singing demons! *Note: You need a pass to GeekGirlCon ‘12 to attend this event.
Saturday, August 11th, 5:00 – 6:50 PM: GeekGirlCon ‘12 Masquerade* It’s your time to shine in all your geek finery at the GeekGirlCon ‘12 Masquerade. Competition is open to everyone–all ages , experience levels, and fandoms. Entrants will vie for Best Individual Costume, Best Group, and Best Child’s Costume. *Note: You need a pass to GeekGirlCon ‘12 to attend this event.
Saturday, August 11th, 7:30 – 8:30 PM: Nerdy Improv Comedy at GeekGirlCon ‘12* From the event page: “Act Nerdy With Me! GeekGirlCon ’12 and NERDProv present a raucous night of improvisational theater from audience suggestions. Rest assured that our audience will be a room full of geeks! Buffy Summers in a regency romance aboard the Galactica? You never know what fanatical combinations come to life at a NERDProv show. NERDProv, a special team from Unexpected Productions, has performed at Emerald City Comicon, PAX, and TheaterSports. Don’t miss this chance to see a bunch of quick-thinking geeks and nerds ham it up over sci-fi, fantasy, role-playing games, tech, cartoons, and more at GeekGirlCon ’12.” *Note: You need a pass to GeekGirlCon ‘12 to attend this event.
Saturday, August 11th, 8:30 – 10:30 PM:GeekGirlCONcert ‘12* From the event page: “Music and nerdery are an awesome combination. Join us at GeekGirlCon ‘12 for a geekery-packed concert!” Guests include The Doubleclicks and Vixy and Tony. *Note: You need a pass to GeekGirlCon ‘12 to attend this event.
Friday, August 17th – Sunday, August 19th:Everfree NW From the website: “Welcome to Everfree Northwest, an annual three-day gathering for fans of the hit TV show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Located in Seattle, Washington, Everfree is a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly event created by fans for fans of all ages. Over the past year, this new children’s TV show has become a pop-culture phenomenon that has delighted and inspired people all over the world. It now gives us tremendous pleasure to welcome you to a three day celebration of the creativity, joy, and camaraderie that this show has engendered.”
Tuesday, August 21st – Thursday, August 23rd: Serious Play Conference From the website: “The Serious Play Conference is being produced as a partnership between Clark Aldrich, author of five top selling books on serious games and managing partner, Clark Aldrich Designs; DigiPen Institute of Technology and Sue Bohle, President of The Bohle Company.”
Friday, August 24th – Saturday, August 25th and Thursday, August 30 – Sunday, September 2:Whedonesque Burlesque* From the event page: Seattle’s finest geeky burlesque performers are daring to take inspiration from the Whedonverse: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Avengers, Firefly, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog, Dollhouse, Angel, and yes, maybe even Cabin in the Woods. It’s the summer of Joss and we’re baring ourselves in his honor! This shindig is a celebration of the evil genius that is Joss Whedon AND the fans who love him.
*Note: Tickets are sold out, but follow the Facebook page for any updates.
Saturday, August 25th, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Inking for Illustration and Comics with Brian Snoddy From the website: “Brian Snoddy, known for his inking in publications such as Shaman’s Tears, Maggie the Cat, Bar Sinister and Monsternomicon I & II, will be teaching inking techniques with the brush and pen, as well as several styles focusing on the rendering of different textures and objects. Students will have the opportunity to test out their inking skills under Brian’s careful instruction. All skill levels welcome! Class is appropriate to students 15+ years”
Thursday, August 30th, 8:00 PM:Classic Doctor Who TV Dinner at Central Cinema Central Cinema GeekGirlCon, and Behind the Blue Door present an encore event to their sellout Doctor Who even in May — but with a twist. Instead of modern episodes, they will present all four parts of the classic episode “City of Death.” Get your tickets before they sell out!
Friday, August 31st – Sunday, September 2nd: PAX Prime
Got an awesome geeky event for us? Send it to Shubz at prcontent@geekgirlcon.com or leave it in the comments below! Let us know if you’ve visited an event from our site, and we’ll see you at GeekGirlCon ‘12!
We are continuing our GeekGirlCon ’12 panel preview with a look at Star Wars. On Saturday, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m., come to Room 204 for From Jedi Princess to Sith Witch: An Exploration of Female Characters in Star Wars. Here’s a description of the panel:
Padmé Amidala and Leia Organa are icons in discussions about female characters in science fiction. Panelists will delve into the representations of females in the Expanded Universe and the recurring theme of the Jedi Princess. As a counterbalance, the Sith witches transcend the stereotypical caricatures often found in fairy tales and the “ordinary” female characters such as bounty hunters, intelligence agents, smugglers, and fighter pilots that capture our imagination without mystical powers.
Presented by Tricia Barr, Ashley Eckstein, Joanne Perrault, Linda Hansen-Raj, Joao Stinson
Princess Leia feeds the secret plans for the Death Star — a planet-killing space station — into R2-D2’s memory banks (Photo from StarWars.com)
Star Wars is amazing because it draws equal numbers of female and male fans. Why is that? Is it because of the strong female characters in the show? Come to this panel to engage in this conversation. This is great timing, as we announced last Monday that Ashley Eckstein will be attending our convention as a guest. She will be joining this amazing panel.
We were able to snag Tricia Barr, moderator of the panel and creator of the FANgirl Blog. Tricia shared some additional details about the panel and talked about what parts of GeekGirlCon ’12 have her excited. Read on!
1. How long have you been a Star Wars fan (and how did you become one)?
I’ve been a Star Wars fan from the beginning. I still remember standing in line to see the movie with my grandparents in 1977. The opening sequence was spectacular. Then there was this princess who wasn’t like any princess I had ever seen before…
Hi folks! We’ve got less than three weeks until GeekGirlCon ‘12, and staff members are already getting our convention schedules together to make sure we don’t miss out on all the fun. Here’s what some of our staff had to say when asked which panel they were most excited for!
“I am most excited for the “Once More with Feeling” Sing-Along because who doesn’t love the musical episode of Buffy? Also, I’m excited for YA Literature and Feminism. As an avid reader of YA books, I’m interested to see the panelists’ perspective on this topic.” – Jex Ballard, Volunteer Coordinator
“This year, we have SO many excellent panels that this was a tough decision. Since I’m a die-hard Browncoat and Buffy fan, I had to go with Jane Espenson and Husbands because it’s a hilarious series and I cannot wait to see what surprises Team Husbands has for us.” – Kristine Hassell, Twitter Administrator
“The panel I am most excited for is—well, it is really, really hard to pick just one—Steampunk Sewing! Each year I have a fabulous idea for a Steamcon costume that never gets executed. And this year is no different; I have a great idea and I am way behind. I hope DodiRose Zooropa, Alisa Green, and Annah Sophia Summers share some nifty tips to save me from donning my dirigible mechanic garb once again because a girl needs options!” – Adrienne Fox, Copywriter
“I’m most excited to see Jane Espenson and the cast of Husbands. Jane is my hero as we desperately need more women writing and producing TV shows. I love that she can bring the funny, the dramatic, and the heartfelt. I also adore Husbands as I do remember a time (when I was a tiny kid) where I never thought queer people like me would be positively portrayed and in lovingly adorable relationships in TV.” – Erica McGillivray, President and Marketing Director
“I am so excited about some pretty different panels this year. I’m really looking forward to A Fate Worse than Death: The Last “Outsider” in Popular Culture – Disability — the panelists are a fantastic group and it’s a topic I am interested to hear more of. If I have to choose between the super cool science-y stuff (robots! NASA! more!), I would have to say that the Stunning Space Science: Voyager — 12,396 days and counting is really calling out to me — you had me at space + science.” – Amanda Powter, Copywriter
Check out our Saturday and Sunday Programming Guides and let us know which panel you are excited for!
While our programming is now live on the website (Saturday and Sunday), we will continue to spotlight some of the great panels or events you will find at our convention.
Maya is the founder of Memetales, a revolutionary marketplace for children’s picture books. Memetales opened its doors in March of 2010 and has been growing steadily ever since. She didn’t just stop with Memetales. Maya is also a founding board member of MomItForward and co-founded ReadingSocialMedia, a social media book club.
She is one busy and fabulous mom, geek, entrepreneur, and writer.
Maya is also dedicated to helping women realize their own potential. In fact, she will host a panel at GeekGirlCon ‘12 called “Here is Your Cape. You are a Superhero. Now Act Like One.” Join Maya on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. for this panel, and learn how you can achieve your goals. As the title implies, we can all be superheros with the right equipment. Maya will show us how to gather our own tools so we can succeed. You will learn why you should reach for the stars and how to quell that voice inside telling you that you can’t achieve your goals.
We are lucky to have someone like Maya in Seattle, and look forward to sharing her with all of you at our convention (have you bought your passes yet?).
In the meantime, leave us a comment with your favorite children’s book!
We might have released our programming last week (Saturday and Sunday), but that doesn’t mean we are done announcing guests for GeekGirlCon ‘12! Today, we are excited to announce the addition of Ashley Eckstein, an amazing actress and entrepreneur.
Eckstein in a Her Universe shirt (left) and Ahsoka Tano (right)
Eckstein currently stars as the voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the animated television show. Her devotion to Star Wars extends well beyond her years as a voice actor for the show’s four seasons. She currently blogs for The Official Star Wars Blog and is the founder of Her Universe, the first merchandise line exclusively for female science fiction fans. She created the company to provide female fans an equal opportunity to show off their Star Wars pride. Her Universe products have since expanded to other well-known franchises such as Syfy, Doctor Who, and Star Trek.
How cool is that?
Here is what Jennifer K. Stuller, our Programming Creative Director, had to say about this announcement: “We are honored and incredibly excited to have Ashley joining us for GeekGirlCon ‘12. She is a fantastic role model for young girls and women, and the work she does is completely in line with our mission at GeekGirlCon, which is to create a community where women and girls can come together to celebrate who they are, and what they love.”
Eckstein will join other Star Wars fans on Saturday as a member of the panel From Jedi Princess to Sith Witch: An Exploration of Female Characters in Star Wars. She will also be available for media signings and will be featured in the GeekGirlConnections room, where convention guests can network and get mentorship and advice from professionals, who work in their desired career fields.
Don’t forget to buy your passes now to catch Ashley and other guests! GeekGirlCon ‘12 will be happening at The Conference Center in downtown Seattle, August 11-12, 2012.
. My early attempts have not been particularly successful, but I’m determined to get some serious spherification going on. I like the mix of abstract-ish and tangible/edible. And 
is just kinda cool.
