Putting our Money Where our Mouth is for Women in Skepticism

It is a fact that women are underrepresented in science and in skepticism and while I may not be able to change the world overnight, I can at least help to change things in my general vicinity right here and now. I have decided to put my money where my mouth is and quite literally get more women involved.

I have spoke with the JREF and I have pledged to pay, out of my own pocket for at least one other women to go to The Amazing Meeting 9 in Las Vegas this year. And I have bigger aspirations. I am going to try to pay for even more women to go!

I have joined forces with The Women Thinking Free Foundation to help me. They will handle the application process so I have time to implement phase two. Phase two is making awesome art you can wear.

I have made (and am in the process of making) a series of LIMITED EDITION TAM 9 Surlies. Each is one-of-a-kind and hand-painted, ceramic-awesomeness made by me. I am rolling up my sleeves and getting to work to make a palpable difference.

When you purchase a TAM 9 Surly you help us raise the money for MORE women to attend TAM 9. Together we can encourage other women to learn about science and critical thinking AND YOU get an awesome, handmade, one-of-a-kind souvenir. Even if you can not attend the conference you are still a part of making this year’s event better than ever! WIN!

Last year, I helped raise $2,000 for the American Cancer society with the help of Phil Plait of Bad Astronomy. This year, I want to raise money for women in skepticism but I need your help.

You can help out the cause by purchasing a limited edition TAM 9 Surly here. Let’s level the playing field and learn about science and critical thinking together.

Or if you do not want a necklace but still want to help the cause you can click the donate link here and donate directly to the fund.

I can’t promise that I can raise enough for all the women I’d like to send to TAM this year but I promise, I will personally pay out of my pocket to send at least one woman.

More info about TAM 9 can be found here.

To apply for The Surly and Women Thinking Free TAM 9 Membership Grant please download and fill out this form. You can download it as a .doc fill it out and email it to: [email protected]
We will notify the grant recipients via email.

*Please note that I am only paying for a membership grant to the TAM 9, 2011 conference and not hotel or travel expenses. And please do not apply unless you truly can not afford it on your own.

PS: If this batch of Surlies sells out I will make more when I get back from the American Atheists National Convention. I already have some in the works that are drying and just need to be painted and fired.

Thanks everyone and hopefully I will see you in Vegas!

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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15 Comments

  1. FYI, James Randi posted about your Surlies on his Facebook page last night so I followed his link and ordered one! It wasn’t clear (to me at least) from the link that this was just one of many choices. Now when I follow the link it says “sold,” whereas your link lists all the Surlie options. I love what I ordered. Just want to make sure people are directed to the place where they can buy, buy, buy!!!!

    1. If someone could go put up the correct link or a link to this post I’d appreciate it. I’m about to take off in a plane! Thanks!

  2. Good on ya, Amy!

    (Unfortunately, I am forced to admit that I am quite jealous and fell into the “I’m a white male aged 35-45, and therefore, I get no help from nobody” trap.

    I disclose this because I feel very embarrassed about my non-skeptical slip, and feel the need to confess.)

    I feel better having said that, though! Future congrats to the lucky lady(ies) that Amy manages to sponsor!

  3. What a brilliant idea.

    I’m going to go buy a necklace now.

    I actually noticed them the other day when I was looking for something in your store, but I didn’t realize what they were for.

    Great job.

  4. This. Is. Brilliant.

    Grants like this are fantastic. I would not be going to this TAM if it wasn’t for the students grant through the forums.

    Looks like I’ll have another Surly to add to the jewelry box!

  5. Kudos to you for doing this! And the necklaces are awesome. Would I be a poseur if I purchased a 9 necklace but I’m not attending TAM? I just love the number 9. (Yes, I know numerology is b.s. but I <3 9 for mathematical reasons. Hehe).

    P.S. – I am jealous of everyone going to TAM!

    1. I made some and I will be making more with just the number 9 in different designs especially for people that didn’t necessarily want the TAM logo but wanted to help out the cause!

  6. Amy as ‘Victor the poet’s mom’, I am working on attending Tam 9, as long as I can party with the skepchicks!!

  7. Thank you Maggie! So far we have raised enough (almost) to send THREE women to TAM 9! And I hope to double that number. The first round of grant recipients will be announced soon. :)

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