The Nounish Professor
"Let's hear it for the brave women who attended and anyone over 40." This took me by surprise. But I certainly appreciated the sentiment. I didn’t expect just showing up to FarCon to spark this discussion.
I guess I don't think of needing courage to attend a conference. But if I zoom out, yes, maybe so. Or maybe I've just gotten used to being one of the few -- sometimes only -- women on a stage or in a meeting. Or if there's one or two more, it's a big deal. I was truly happy there was even one other woman speaking at FarCon. (hi Adrienne! lol)
One of the surprising questions I was asked a few times last weekend was about how I felt being a woman in crypto. And why I thought there weren’t many others. I didn’t expect it to be such a topic of discussion. But there are some very thoughtful, self-aware, genuinely concerned men on Farcaster. The crypto bro toxic vibe that flies around the bird app and so many discords is minimal on the purple app. And in the other communities I choose to be a part of as well.
But I was still surprised that just showing up with lady parts would be applauded. Sometimes just showing up is hard though. Especially when it’s out of your comfort zone. So it got me thinking – what is it about this “brave” woman over 40 that keeps her coming back?
I wasn’t a very athletic kid (except swimming) but even so I wanted to play baseball. There was no softball for girls at that time so I joined Little League and played with the boys, the only girl on the team, and only 1 other in the league. It’s also when I learned that I have virtually no hand/eye coordination so I became “Queen of the Walks” as my Dad used to call me. I wouldn’t even try to hit but luckily the pitchers always sucked so I’d at least get on base. I only played one season.
Fast forward to law school—I was interested in sports and entertainment law and was thinking about becoming an agent. I had won my schools negotiation competition and loved contracts as well as IP. During an event, a couple panelists told me flat out that women can’t be agents—no one will hire them, even the women athletes. One panelist worked for the top sports agency in Boston; the other was the VP of a pro team you all know (and probably hate). I took the note and focused on IP.
And there’s more examples like this when I look back. So why did I stay this time? It hasn’t always been easy. But something has kept me here.
Because this time is too important. There’s too much on the line for us to leave out half the population. Because women want access to capital that we’ve been lacking for so long. And if I leave, that’s one less woman to say gm when the next woman finds her way here.
I feel dumb saying this but this is where I feel I can actually change the world and have an impact. In this nascent space. So why would I leave? And where would I go? All my frens are here now. So I guess you’re stuck with me now.
But I don’t have the answers as to how we get more women on Farcaster or in this space in general. Creating a open environment that feels comfortable and inviting is a good first start. As we build more utility, community, and cool stuff, more will find their way here.
For now, I’m staying. And I do love me some provenance. I now get to say I was one of the first women to present at FarCon. So that's something.
Do you think it takes bravery to be a woman in web3? Why do you think there aren’t more woman on Farcaster?
(As I write this I’m vibing to “Settling” by The Park. I recommend you do the same.)
Previous posts:
The smartness of being the dumbest person in the room
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From 4 of us last year, to leading the way this year in 11 months time. Not bad. With women on almost every panel, hacking, investing and leading. AND not one “women in web3” panel in sight! btw the environment & culture here on FC makes this much easier & inviting. So thanks everyone for that! 💜💕💕
btw this is what I wrote after last year’s FarCon — it didn’t occur to me that “courage” was needed to be in that room. I just wanted to be there. 💜 https://paragraph.xyz/@nounishprof/genxx
And this part is a thank you to the men of Farcaster.
I also like to avoid the "women in Web3" panel and actually try to have more women on the panel!! Great stuff!!!
👏👏👏 well done!
Thanks Seneca! And it was truly a pleasure to finally get to chat in person! ⌐◨-◨
on behalf of the boys, i would like to recognize that /farcon was almost entirely organized and led by women here on Farcaster. thank you. it was a huge success because of y’all and the families. it is no small feat to lead so publicly in a space that has historically excluded female leaders and representation.
Amazing what has happened in just 11 months. This is what I wrote after FarCon last year. https://paragraph.xyz/@nounishprof/genxx
Not even being there, I could tell how beautiful and intentional it all was. Thank you for sharing this, it’s incredible to see women get their recognition!
well said 200 $degen
1000 $DEGEN
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
GM.Why are we here? “Because this time is too important. There’s too much on the line for us to leave out half the population. Because women want access to capital that we’ve been lacking for so long. And if I leave, that’s one less woman to say gm when the next woman finds her way here.” — @nounishprof
Source https://paragraph.xyz/@nounishprof/genxx
"The crypto bro toxic vibe that flies around the bird app and so many discords is minimal on the purple app." Yes. That's one reason I love FC! Always glad to see this thoughtful piece making the rounds. Deserves a re-read. I've been planning to collect it, but first I need to decide which quotes I want to highlight!
Totally agree! It’s just as good, if not better, upon a re-read!
I am reading some of these quotes and going “Wow, that’s a really great point. Oh wait, I wrote that?” Lol I even need a refresher for myself. It’s been a couple months and I’m old. 🤣 And I’m still here to say GM to the next woman— and now it’s even easier with FarcastHER!! 💜💕💕
this is so good to read 👏
I actually wrote about it — there were a few of us there but I can tell already that the next one will have many more just based on the FarcastHER activity! https://paragraph.xyz/@nounishprof/genxx
gm! GenXX Courage "Let's hear it for the brave women who attended and anyone over 40." https://paragraph.xyz/@nounishprof/genxx Thanks to those who inspired this post: @sallyh @danicaswanson @adrienne @tldr @les @matthew and more
And I really need to figure out how to resize images on paragraph lol
"There’s too much on the line for us to leave out half the population. Because women want access to capital that we’ve been lacking for so long. And if I leave, that’s one less woman to say gm when the next woman finds her way here." Yes yes yes. So glad you wrote this piece. Lots to unpack here!
Would love to hear your takes! Not many GenXX here lol
I've been quiet on the scarcity of "women in crypto" for... reasons...lol. But I'm a long-time feminist. If I ever write on this topic I'll point to the elephant in the room, which is the structural factors. I once founded a "Crones of Web3" group but had no support to maintain it. https://twitter.com/web3crones
i’m glad you did come thru, it was great to meet you! 😃
Such a great chat we had! Still processing all the great convos.
Thanks for being here and writing this. Knowing that there are other women makes a huge difference (just not yet 40 😀)
Oh to be just not yet 40! 🤣 I often think about what an amazing time this would be if I was in my early 30s. That’s the sweet spot imo (for risk taking I mean and jumping into a whole new world).
The late 30s aren’t also too bad, especially if in the early 30s you were just focused on making it through the day
👏👏👏 Sorry I wasn’t able to come to FarCon. Had planned to but the date ended up being a 2 weeks before I leave to spend a month in New England and in the middle of several big projects. Hopefully next year timing is better for me. I did notice how few women were there in the pics.
Next time!! 💜