In honor of our 1000th post (HOW AMAZING IS THAT???), we wanted to bring together our writers, and talk about what being a Geekette means to each of us.

For me (Sarah), being a Geekette isn’t just about being a geek. It’s about working to bring all kinds of people together, regardless of gender, sex, orientation, race, etc., and creating a space where every one can feel like a part of the community we all love so much. Four of us came together with one goal in mind with this website: to break down the boundaries women face in the geek world. But I think that the term “Geekette” has come to mean so much more than that.  It’s about creating a community in itself, and including all people who want to be included, and repecting all people around us.

Here’s what the rest of the Geekette team thinks!

Julia O’Connell: To me, being a Geekette means showing the world that feminism and geekdom are perfectly compatible. Women are part of the geeky community, and we are here to stay. And while we’re here, we want to be acknowledged and treated with respect by other members of the community and by companies whose products and services cater to that community. Being a Geekette means that I speak up about problems in the geeky community and actively search for solutions. It also means that I celebrate successful instances of the community becoming more inclusive. Being a Geekette is about both bettering and celebrating the geeky community.

Lex Gurst: Honestly, I’ve never really considered myself in terms of the word Geekette before, even though it’s kinda tailor-made for an individual like me (and in light of the fact that I, y’know, write for a website with Geekette in its title). What I DO know and what I’ve ALWAYS known is simply that I like what I like, be it playing dress-up, The X-Files, day-dreaming about fairy tales or my penchant for amateur backyard entomology, and in a society that wants you to conform to its boring, old skin, it’s very much okay to be comfortable in your own strange, surreal and geeky skin

 

Lizzie Chapin: Being a Geekette means that I get to be a part of a community that values the places women occupy in entertainment and is actively fighting to create more of them. Fostering awareness of what’s being done right and recognizing what could be done better is the first step towards creating a better future, and I get to be at the front lines of that battle. I couldn’t ask for more.

 

Carly O’Connell: To me, being a Geekette means free books (yay netgalley, BEA, and friendly publishers)! More seriously, it means having an outlet to talk about those books and share my passion for reading with like-minded people. It also gives me a reason to stay on top of current events in the realms of publishing, geekdom, and women’s issues, and a venue to express opinions on such events. Most of all, I really appreciate the chance to get super excited about things and have a whole bunch of people get excited with me rather than look at me like I’m a weirdo.

 

Brianna Murch: For me, being a Geekette is the inclusion in a community of people from different ages and backgrounds. It’s being able to share your opinions on feminist and un-feminist media, even when those opinions can differ from your colleagues’. It’s being passionate about a topic and writing the kind of article you would like to read yourself. It’s that sense of pride you get when something you wrote still gets views a year later, or when you open someone’s eyes to a film they’ve never heard of.

Dalin Rowell: Being a Geekette is all about expressing yourself. Sometimes I don’t get to voice my honest opinion, whether at work or around my family, but when I am in Geekette mode, I can say everything I want to and know that I will have a sisterhood that is behind me, even if we don’t exactly agree on all that is said. I’ve always wanted to be a part of a group of cool individuals, and though we are of the nerdy sort, the Geekettes are the group of my young dreams, where we are each the lead singers and never the back-up member forgotten on the solo album.

Maddie Parrotta: To me, being a Geekette means being a female who feels empowered enough to share and express the things she loves–whether they be books, movies, shows, video games, or anything else. It means having a network of other Geekettes to share the love of these things with and to feel connected with, both in person and through the internet. It means having a place to read and learn about the latest happenings in the Geekette world knowing that someone else shares your views.

 

Debbie Farber: It’s funny, I recently had a conversation with someone born around the
same time as myself and we reminisced about not being allowed to wear pants at school, up to middle school, or the way our one piece stretchy striped gym suits looked more like prison suits. Being born female did actually mean something different in 1961, so being part of Daily Geekette means having an outlet and an audience for young and old women alike. Now we talk openly and happily about things that were once considered mostly male dominated geeky topics or just writing freely about gender and sexuality.

 

Kayla Farber: Being a Geekette has been and continues to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. I have many passions and I get to express opinions on them freely. I love that I have gotten to interact with people all around the world, and my fellow Geekette writers in particular. In May, I got to meet some of the Geekettes for the first time ever, and it was amazing. I feel like even though we are all extremely different, we all fit. It’s a good feeling. I’ve also gotten to do some amazing things like interviewing Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville, attend some conventions I would not have otherwise, and really learn about feminism in nerd culture. I am looking forward to the next thousand posts!

Megan Gianniny – Being a Geekette means being a part of a fabulous community of feminist geeks, who love geek culture and consuming all sorts of media and talking about it. Being a Geekette has taken me to my first con, allowed me to interview a bestselling author, and given me a platform to share my thoughts about the things I care about. I have found myself both challenged and supported as I interact with a geek culture that continues to privilege white male identity and desire over people of color, women, queer, and trans people. Being a Geekette makes those challenges easier to face, because I know I have a community behind me.

Melissa Sims: To me,  being a Geekette is one of the most freeing feelings in the world. I get to be me. In my everyday life, I have to adapt to society. I talk about things that don’t really interest me, like the Kardashians, because most people don’t understand what I talk about. Here, I am free to be me without the fear of judgement. My name is Melissa and I am a proud Geekette.

 

Jenn Kilgallon: Being a Geekette means thinking critically about the hobbies and careers I am passionate about and what I can do to make a difference and to demonstrate enthusiasm for equality, while kicking someone’s butt at videogames or tabletop. Being a Geekette means always having something to talk about loudly and show excitement for with no shame. My hobbies have enabled me to become more creative, think deeply about certain concepts and franchises, and grow my group of friends. I would not be where I am had I not lived with, fallen in love with, and worked with other geeks. These hobbies entail true passion, sharing with others, social events, long-lasting friendships, and a mind that is always keeping up with the heart. I wouldn’t call myself anything else. Except for maybe the mind behind the Mighty Purple Eldar.

Caitlin Walsh: I’ve only been a Geekette for 8 months but it’s given me a wonderful
opportunity. Writing for the blog has married my two passions. My love of writing and for all things fandom. When I found Star Trek Voyager in college I thought I would have to keep my geek life separate from everything else. I though I’d have to hide it because it wasn’t cool. It took me a while but I finally realized that being a geek is something to be proud of and something I can share.

 

Kim Sehn: What I love most about being a Geekette is the diversity associated with the definition! You could walk around all day with Princess Leia hair or you could spend the whole day playing BioShock. Or you might not be into gaming or science fiction at all but you love to cosplay and write fanfiction. I personally like to watch Star Wars in my Superman onesie. But whatever way you express your inner Geekette is beautiful and I love how much this website speaks to that. Whether it be video games, sci-fi, cosplay, character-inspired makeup and hair, etc., The Daily Geekette allows its writers to invite a variety of “geeky” groups to discuss and cultivate their various interests and grow together as a community.

Alyssa Scerra: Being a Geekette means you are on the cusp of the modern mythos. As we celebrate the inherent value of narratives and art in all forms. Our culture understands the importance of storytelling, fostering strength of character, magic, a sense of wonder and imagination. We find inspiration and influence in a variety of genres, styles, and themes. Experiencing an established environment that showcases diverse spirit, exploration, and definite belief and enthusiasm in our interests.

Kenny Marciano: To me, being a Geekette is about building a community of individuals who all believe in equality and are passionate about nerdy topics. I feel I am a part of a family that supports all people and strives for nerds in every category to be accepted. I love to write and I know my fellow Geekettes do as well, and I know we are all writing for a purpose: to spread our love of the fandoms that are most dear to our hearts, to encourage females in the geek community, and to inform people of the issues we care most deeply about.

Kat Hamilton: Being a Geekette is about asking yourself if you want to do it before you even wonder if society wants you to do it. It means you love the fandoms and characters of your choice, regardless of whether or not others think you are the target audience. It means you are a geek, and your gender does not change that fact. I am a Geekette because my passions are my own, not the decisions of anyone else. It means I am an Iron Man fan, and I am proud, and no one can ever tell me otherwise.