I'm blessed that by the time I started getting involved in reptiles, many great woman had already paved the way. I'm also blessed to have a father who always raised me to think I could do anything a boy could do.
Women being interested in herps was considered unusual at one time -- in fact, it was unusual at one time! And many non-herpers might still think that's the case. But all you have to do is look around a herp show -- or at kingsnake.com's user stats -- to see that they're wrong.
Forty-six percent of our users are female, from young girls getting their first reptile to women who breed on a scale large or small, to women in herpetological societies, field research and zoology.
Giving a face to women in herps is one of the reasons I love working the alligator pit at the annual Chicago Herpetological Society's Reptile Fest. This is the nation's largest all-educational reptile show, hosted every April.
Alligators are a huge draw, and a pit of alligators is an even bigger draw. I usually "man" it for a few breaks each weekend, and one year assisted Dan for the entire weekend.
The event itself draws from a bigger pool than just reptile folks. It draws a lot of families looking for something both fun and educational to do with their children. As I climb into the enclosure amid a selection of crocodilians, I always see some looks of awe from girls. I'm also always asked if I'm afraid. And, usually, I'm asked if I'm afraid of the alligators because I am a girl.
I enjoy the time I spend in there with Dan and Bob because it helps the little girls there watching learn that a girl can. As cheesy as they were the Spice Girls were right with their idea of "girl power." I always hope I can inspire one girl to avoid the fears and move forward in reptiles.
One of the leading women in our industry is Tracy Barker of Vida Preciosa International (or, as we all know it, VPI); that's her posing with me in the photo above.
When I received a call from her this week regarding the bills our industry is currently fighting, I had an amazing epiphany. We were missing out on a whole army of supporters for the cause.
Tracy and her husband Dave have been very vocal opponents on the front lines fighting these bills, and Tracy is looking to compile information on us women. As you can see from her attached letter, she's planning to use the information to garner support for the hobby from women-specific organizations. She's looking to preserve this hobby for everyone. Here is her letter:
Dear Cindy,
As you know we are working hard to amend S373.
One of the core concerns I have is the affect this bill will have on women herpetologists and herpetoculturists.
Over the past 35 years that I have been involved in herpetoculture, a huge change has happened that involves the increased participation of women in this hobby, academic studies and business.
In the beginning of my career I would attend professional zoological meetings where I was the only woman speaker. Over the past three decades I have been thrilled to see more and more women who have developed academic credentials as well as professional credentials and participated in educational programs, scientific research, and business surrounding herpetology and herpetoculture.
At VPI we have had 4 women interns that have gone on to become a PhD. graduate biologist, a professional at a major international zoo, an accredited science teacher in the public school system, and a veterinary technician.
Herpetoculture and herpetology are two viable areas where girls can become interested in science at an early age and have academic and business careers that may lead them in a myriad of directions.
There is no question that the exposure I had at 15 years of age to herpetoculture, absolutely formed my academic path and career. The thought of this opportunity not being afforded to other girls and women is just offensive to me.
I am very concerned that legislation such as what is being initiated in S373, has far reaching implications other than the banning of animals. It will result in a future where all the progress that women have made in herpetoculture and herpetology will be jeopardized.
I would also like to address two other issues that I have personally experienced in my career that I feel directly apply to my concerns in regards to this type of legislation:
1) As a woman that built a home based business breeding reptiles and writing about reptiles, I was able to be at home with my children. There hasn’t been a day that I do not say the biggest pay off of having this type of business was the ability to be at home with my children when they were preschool age and be able to make a living for our family. I would hate to see this opportunity of herpetoculture as an alternative professional choice for women be taken away.
2) As a women who was diagnosed with breast cancer and was faced with major surgery while having two young children ages 8 and 10, I was able to maintain my business at home during this very difficult time. I would hate to see this opportunity of herpetoculture as an alternative professional choice for women who may be faced with these same challenges be taken away.
The information I am seeking at this time is any kind of estimate of the number of girls and women that are involved in herpetoculture that this type of legislation would affect now and in the future.
Decades of work installing confidence in girls and women that they can participate in herpetological academic, professional, and hobby activities is being jeopardized by fear mongering in the media and rush to judgment legislation coordinated by self serving special interest groups.
I seek this information of women’s participation in herpetoculture so that I may approach various organizations that are focused on women’s issues and request their assistance in protecting women’s rights in this matter.
Sincerely,
Tracy Barker/VPI
Please, ladies, take moment to contact Tracy with information. She will keep this in the strictest of confidence. This is another way for us to fight these bills that are coming against our industry. You can email Tracy directly at tbarker@beecreek.net, or you can email me here at kingsnake and I''ll pass it along.
Girls can!
Hey Herpers: Calling All Women - and girls too!
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
Email Cindy
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