Des Femmes Updates April 2023

community spotlight, job opportunities, and why women’s spaces might be the best spaces

Hello and welcome back to the Des Femmes newsletter! Sterling Schuyler here again 👋

You can find the latest issue of Des Femmes Magazine in Whole Foods and Barnes & Noble stores across the U.S. Our Sovereignty issue includes articles about NFT ownership, setting up a Lightning node, shooting guns, running a flower farm, and more.

Community members who would like to participate in the University of Maryland’s Master Money Mentor program can reserve a spot by sending $100 via Venmo to @desfemmesmag (with the transaction set to private and your email in the description). Or, you can DM @desfemmesmag on Instagram or Twitter if you prefer a bitcoin address. 

We’re also looking for sponsors for the 2023 mentorship program, and welcome conversations with any organization or person that values women’s financial literacy as much as we do. As a special perk for our early community funders, if you own a Des Femmes NFT from 2021 or 2022 you can email leigh@desfemmesmagazine.com for a free membership program reservation. More details about mentorship program details coming this summer.

Our nonprofit partners, Women in Blockchain, has started their own spotlight series featuring women and nonbinary leaders in Web3! As for our community highlight, we’re excited to introduce B., co-founder and CEO of ATG Digital and 777 Group.

But first, I want to talk about why women-only opportunities can be beneficial for women in any industry or aspect of life.

Women’s Spaces Might Be The Best Spaces

There’s a lot of debate about whether women-only conferences, clubs, and spaces actually lead to more equality and fewer gaps between women and men. While I believe that men and women need to participate in all conversations, I also believe that sometimes women can learn better in women-only spaces.

I, for one, went to an all-girl high school. And I know that it was the best option for me because I was weak-willed and boy crazy. If a boy had told me he didn’t like girls who were smarter than him, I absolutely would have put less effort into academics in exchange for the opportunity to be kissed.

I know women—both straight and queer—who absolutely did not thrive in that environment, some of whom left the school. And that’s the right choice for them! But for me, being in an all-girl environment took away a lot of competitive and self-detrimental elements associated with high school. I whole-heartedly leaned into the subjects that interested me, and I participated in conversations to help myself and others better understand the topic at hand.

Over 15 years later, I still seek out women-only spaces when I’m new to something. When I moved to Rotterdam, I joined a networking group for international women. Members discussed the usual newcomer questions (where to shop, where to eat, how to navigate cultural experiences), but we also talked about our experiences with healthcare, education, and childcare as women.

I’ve also joined a women-only gym, and let me tell you: exercising without worrying about the male gaze is a truly freeing experience. I squat, bend over, and stretch without a second thought. As I tried my first chin-up, and flailed and failed spectacularly—something I never would have attempted if there was a chance of receiving unsolicited advice from a man.

When I wanted to learn more about crypto, I naturally turned to groups like Des Femmes. Even when I think my question may be mind-numbingly simple for this group of incredibly brilliant women, I feel comfortable asking questions because I know they also value and respect these opportunities to learn together. 

I’m clearly not alone in this sentiment. Our friends at Boys Club Crypto, Bad Bitch Empire, and Women in Blockchain have also emerged as spaces for women to learn about bitcoin, crypto, tech, and financial sovereignty in comfortable spaces.

So, I don’t know whether, on a broader scale, these women-only communities and events are closing the gap between men and women. I’ll just have to let you know after I secure the bag myself.

Community Spotlight

"Don't live another day neglecting your dreams to build or sustain someone else's. Even if you are only able to take small steps toward actualizing them today, one day you'll look up and realize that you are a lot closer to your dreams than you could've ever imagined."

- B., Co-founder & CEO of both ATG Digital and 777 Group

Follow @unhip_hipster and check out her website to learn more about our newest member!

Job Opportunities

For a quick reminder about our partnership with the nonprofit Women in Blockchain, we’d encourage any badass lady in the community who is looking for a job to upload her resume and skills to the WiB career development portal. You'll receive direct intros to companies on your own terms. It's an invite-only and ongoing resource. If you are hiring, post your job openings to WiB’s job board too. 

Both Des Femmes and WiB have collectively achieved what was to us unimaginable: offered networking tools; sponsored travel, accommodation and tickets to conferences; written and published research pieces; presented career opportunities; offered educational resources; increased diversity in panels; made lots of new friends; and so much more. On many occasions, we have also joined forces to celebrate together in cities like Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Paris, expanding our network above and beyond.

If you’re interested in collaborating with us on an event or mentorship program, email hello [at] desfemmesmagazine.com 

Until next time, stay curious!