1. Are there challenges that female magicians encounter that their male counterparts do not? If so, what are they?
I don't know if this is typical with female magicians, I can only speak from my own experiences. I guess my biggest challenge is attending the larger magic functions like IBM Annual Convention. I am never looked upon as a magician. I am always asked what kind of magic my son/husband/significant other performs or who's assistant I am. I have often been ignored at dealer's tables because I obviously cannot be interested in purchasing magic for myself!!
Another challenge is when I am "pigeon-holed" into being a certain type of performer. When I started learning escapes, many comments were "but she's a kid's performer, why is she doing THAT?" Which is a bit ironic.
While I have to prove myself to the male magicians, the escape community has no problem with me being a female performing escapes. When I first started attending escape artist functions, it wasn't a case of "who are you here with?" it was "what type of escapes do you perform?"
The challenge I absolutely hate the worst also happens at the large conventions with people who don't know me. When it is discovered that I am indeed a magician, it's almost like a contest with some of the male magicians about who can get lucky with the lady magician. I'm sorry to disappoint. I don't go to magic conventions to get lucky, I go to network and learn stuff!!
So, to sum it up, I hate:
1) being stereotyped into one type of performing.
2) it being assumed I'm not a magician.
3) it when men think I'm a "magic groupie."
2. What can magic organizations do to be more welcoming to female magicians?
Magic has been an "old boys' club" almost from it's beginnings. As with any male-dominated profession, women are seen as either a novelty or an intrusion. Women must constantly be proving themselves to be accepted into the community, but once they do get accepted, it is a very good thing. What magic organizations can do is just be more welcoming of any female who attends meetings (even if she is the husband or mother of a magician).
Also, don't assume that a woman wants to be impressed with 101 different ways to do the same card trick...or that she is even interested in card magic. Find out what her interests are in magic and just encourage her to keep at it. If she is into magic as a hobbiest or professional, encourage her to show off what she knows. Ask her questions as well as answer any questions she may have.
