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More Women in Skepticism! TAM 9 GRANT UPDATE

For those of you who don’t know, I have been kicking ass and taking names. And by kicking ass I mean making limited edition TAM 9 Surly-Ramics to raise money to pay for admission for women to go to The Amazing Meeting in Las Vegas this year. And I have literally been taking names. Well, technically Elyse and the Women Thinking Free Foundation have helped me take the names and review the applications. Thanks guys!

And now, I have some FANTASTIC news!

So far I have raised enough money to pay for THREE passes for THREE women to attend what will surely be one of the greatest conferences on science and skepticism, ever!

Let’s make this personal and dust away the abstract so you can see that we are actually making a real difference in real people’s lives.

I am so super-proud to announce the first round of the first ever Surly Women Thinking Free TAM Grant recipients!

1. Amy Peters

Amy Peters lives in Texas where she works as a facilitator and trainer specializing in online learning. When she is not working or mothering, she is probably blogging at The Cupcake Atheist. She is also a science enthusiast who wants to do her part to help make her home and community a little more rational.
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2. Megan Wells

Megan Wells is a senior at the University of Chicago, completing an undergraduate degree in linguistics with an eye toward becoming an Egyptologist. Says Megan, “The picture is from my time on an archaeological dig in Israel in the summer of 2008, biblical archaeology being a related passion that comes up a lot in my skeptical and atheistic pursuits. I was raised Catholic and bought into it wholesale, but with scientist parents, non-religious woo was thin on the ground in my upbringing. My particular skeptical passions are calling out the naturalistic fallacy wherever it may be found; crushing creationism in public schools, especially in my home state of Texas; and fighting misinformation about vaccines (hug me!).”
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3. Emma Cating

Says, Emma, “I became a hard-core skeptic in college, but I’ve had the skeptical mindset as long as I can recall. I have my B.S. in chemistry and will be going for my PhD. in the Fall. During this “gap year” I’ve been teaching math and chemistry at the high school level, an experience which is constantly reaffirming my belief that critical thinking skills are the most important and least encouraged aspect of our children’s education. I am also a guest author on SimpleScientist.wordpress.com where I write articles on chemistry for people with limited scientific backgrounds. I am incredibly excited about TAM, and I want to thank Surly Amy and the lovely ladies of Skepchick for making it possible!”
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On behalf of The Skepchick Network, WTFF and all the donors and supporters of this project so far, I’d like to cordially welcome our first three grant recipients to TAM 9 and ZOMG I can’t wait to meet you all in person!

Now on to the serious stuff.

We have more grant applications waiting. You also still have time to apply for a grant. We will continue to accept applications until May 31st. You can apply for the membership grant here. Please do not apply unless you truly can not afford to go to TAM on your own.

I really would love to send everyone who applies but sadly I haven’t raised enough money to do that. I will guarantee that we will send at least one more applicant because I have pledged to pay for one person MYSELF. So keep your eyes out for updates and PLEASE if you can, do help support the cause. Every single dollar helps and I’d love to send everyone. This is one of those situations where we can actually make palpable difference in someone’s life and make organized skepticism even more kick-ass!

Want to help?

To purchase a limited edition TAM 9 Surly made by me go here.

To donate directly to my cause go here.

*The Women Thinking Free Foundation’s Board of Directors is in charge of the selection process. I am in charge of making art and raising money. We are only paying for admission to TAM9 for the grant recipients and not hotel or travel expenses.

See you in Vegas, baby.

Amy Roth

Amy Davis Roth (aka Surly Amy) is a multimedia, science-loving artist who resides in Los Angeles, California. She makes Surly-Ramics and is currently in love with pottery. Daily maker of art and leader of Mad Art Lab. Support her on Patreon. Tip Jar is here.

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12 Comments

  1. This is most excellent! Way to go Amy!!!

    If you haven’t already, I highly recommend buying one of the beautiful TAM 9 Surly necklaces. Mine just arrived a couple days ago, and I love it. Plus I know I helped (just a little) these three women attend TAM. This is really win-win– a beautiful necklace and a good cause.

    I look forward to meeting you ladies at TAM, and Megan I would love to hear more about your archaeology experiences!

  2. Excellent job, Amy, and all who were involved. You have inspired me (again). We will be buying our next round of TAM 9 Surlies soon.

  3. Wow this is great. Still couldn’t go to TAM even if the fees (pretty high IMO) were covered. Hotel and travel would be too much for me (Single, self employed mom here).

    I hope all the women (men too) who go have a wonderful time. Maybe one day TAM will be in NC so I could make it!

  4. Congratulations! This is awesome. :)

    Also is it just me or does Emma look like Rebecca in disguise?

  5. I am the luckiest Skeptic on Earth! Not only can I give Amy a **HUG**, I can occasionally give her a real HUG as well, living in LA!
    -Brian Hart

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