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Skepchick

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A Skepchick is the nickname given by some people to denote the female skeptic; the word is a portmanteau of skeptic and chick. Because it it believed by some that the skeptical movement is largely dominated by older males, the name was coined to draw a special distinction to female skeptics (while there have been inquiries on whether or not the skeptical movement is dominated by older males, the term has still caught on.) Some women take exception to the term “skepchick,” so the term, in general, is best applied to oneself. The first online registered project involving the term "skepchick" was a calendar produced by Richard Saunders of the Australian Skeptics in 1995, entitled "Australian Babes of Skepticism" [1]. This was followed by David Palmer's 1999 "SkepChick calendar" [2] and "Studmuffins of Skepticism Calendar" [3]

Skepchick International was started by Rebecca Watson with the stated intent to promote scientific skepticism among women. Rebecca Watson appears on the The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast. The Skepchick site features a blog. Skepchick International published a calendar of nude skepchicks in 2006. Earlier publications from 1995 and 1999 by other skeptical organisations unrelated to Skepchick International. The proceeds from the 2006 calendar fundraised the attendance fee for several female applicants to attend the James Randi Educational Foundation's 2006 The Amaz!ng Meeting. In 2007 two separate calendars were published with separate genders represented; there is no calendar for 2008.

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