Join the new world

"There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."
— Madeleine Albright

A few women have gotten upset over these articles, not understanding the need for them. The fact is that male players outnumber female players in eRep by 10 to 1. As an American I help other Americans. As a woman…I help other women. As a gamer…I help other gamers. It’s not rocket science, it’s simply what I believe to be right and the way I choose to live. Plus, I really want to know more about the people that have gone before me and done well in this game.

I have several new issues in the works that don’t focus on women as a group. I’m really excited to get going on those and I hope you will be as excited to read about them when the time comes.

I will always have new issues of the “Women of eRepublik” coming out by popular demand, each with a new list of incredible female citizens from all over the world! One of the things that has impressed me so much about these ladies is that no matter what part of the eWorld they come from, and no matter who my country is fighting against, every one of them has been supportive and gracious in their responses to me. It’s almost as if our interest in learning about each other lifts us above the wars and bickering…if only for a few moments.

Please keep your suggestions for future interviews and your ideas for articles coming!

In this issue I’d like to introduce you to five more outstanding players you should know (in alphabetical order):

Binda33
Born: 11.06.2009 - Day 569 of the New World
Citizen of: eAustralia
Current Level: 18
Current Game Rank: Colonel
Accomplishments: Senator for ANP Victoria – 2 terms, Member of Australia Commando Unit Koalas (ACUK), Commander Marshall of ACUK, Minister for Information, Intern to Minister of Defense, ANP Council member

Meghan
Born: 07.12.2008 - Day 383 of the New World
Citizen of: eUK
Current Level: 20
Current Game Rank: General
Accomplishments: : I am currently Minister of Essential goods in the Ministry of Trade, an apprentice in the Ministry of Home Affairs, and a Paratrooper in the eUK's Special Forces. I have been congresswoman in the Philippines and the UK, and I plan on running for congresswoman for the November term. I previously held some leadership positions in the US National Guard but that was a LONG time ago.

PrincessMedyPi
Born: 07.07.2008 - Day 230 of the New World
Citizen of: eJapan
Current Level: 21
Current Game Rank: Field Marshal
Accomplishments: Currently, I do nothing but sit here and look pretty. But, in the past, I've been Vice President of the eUSA; I to co-hosted the American podcast "Is This the Real Life?" with Justinious McWalburgson III; I was voted into congress in three nations--and named the best congresswoman by my peers when I was in the eUSA; I have been the party president of two parties--one of which I saved from a Turkish PTO; I founded the Welcoming Committee in the eUSA; I served as Chief of Staff for a few administrations; and I was the former eUSA Ambassador to Finland multiple times over. Many people also remember me for my failed, half-hearted presidential runs in Turkey and the USA. I know I'm missing some things, but those are the highlights that I can remember.

Reminisce
Born: 19.11.2008 - Day 365 of the New World
Citizen of: eAustralia
Current Level: 19
Current Game Rank: Colonel
Accomplishments: Ex-Redback, Senator (Sept09), Minister of Culture (Sept09 and Oct09).

Tiacha
Born: 22.07.2008 - Day 245 of the New World
Citizen of: eUSA
Current Level: 21
Current Game Rank: Field Marshal
Accomplishments: Former Fed PP, 5 Time Congresswoman, Current Deputy Speaker of the House, Former Chair of the Military Committee, Former Chair of the Government Oversight Committee, Author of the Public Information Act, which was the first piece of legislation to push for public disclosure of Congressional activities, Former and current Secretary of Education, Co-Founder of NAU, Former Chief of Staff under Scrabman, Former Vice Presidential Candidate, Former Marine Officer
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The Q & A:

~ The Estrogen Dungeon (hereafter referred to as TED): Has being a woman helped or hindered your eLife?

Binda33: I like to think that being a woman neither helps nor hinders. I’m very active in the game and I think this is what gets you anywhere here.

Meghan: I can't say that being a woman has ever really hindered my eLife. Just by being a woman, girl, lady, female of any type at all brings more attention to you and I believe it makes things easier. Other women in the eWorld are able to hold more power than their counterparts from what I've noticed. There is some definite sexism in eRepublik, but I believe it benefits the women more than it harms us.

PrincessMedyPi: When I first started, people didn't take me seriously. Granted, I did a lot of stuff for the lulz. But, once I started being more of an interested player, it took me a lot of time to get people to realize that I was more than just a set of hot tits. Every time I move or encounter a new set of folks, this is the response I get, and I go back to square
one. However, in the long run, I like to think that breaking through all of the barriers has made me more respected and helps make it easier for those who follow the rest of the women beta players.

Reminisce: As far as the nation of eAustralia, I would say it has helped. Females are the minority, so it gives people another characteristic to remember you by.

Tiacha: I think neither. I mean, people are nicer to me because of it, but if I were stupid, people wouldn't take me seriously.


~ TE😨 Have you had any negative experiences because you are a woman? (Personal, professional or other?)

Binda33: I don’t get any really negative experiences. Just the usual comments from guys on IRC “Tits or GTFO” (I’m hopeful that most of these are joking), but as an in game friend said to me once “if you’re female and over 15 years old you’ll get immature guys making immature comments”.

Meghan: ummm....I can't really think of any to be honest with you. Most of what is said are jokes (a woman can't be MoDaFA or shouldn't hold higher office, which after the whole Sara Droz fiasco you can't really blame people for saying that.) All my negative experiences are based on the way I act. I'm not quiet and docile and I don't sit pretty and demure. I'm very forceful, and rude, and rather perverted...which people don't really seem to like, and I don't think that people's opinions on my behavior would really change if I were male.

PrincessMedyPi: First and foremost, that "there are no women on the internet" s*&% has got to stop. It makes you boys sound like you're 5 and wastes countless minutes of every day for every person you say it to. Secondly, I had a lot of people who assumed that I was Vice President of the eUSA because I was just a girl. They assumed that I had nothing upstairs and was a token player, so I had to work extra hard at the 3-5 jobs I had at that time to make people see that I wasn't just a ditz. Finally, I’ve always had to put up with some really creepy guys on the internet. The only way I’ve survived this is: a) being a tough bitch; b) having a really good support system of friends around me; c) using the really good head that was placed on my shoulders. It was really freaky when I first started IRCing. There were some major creeps that followed me around, but over time, I learned how to deal with it.

Reminisce: Not really. I suppose sometimes people seem to feel that that can talk me down and I won't stand up for what I think or believe in, but that may or may not be related to my gender.

Tiacha: See this article:http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/my-enemies-throughout-erepublik-how-we-can-learn-and-grow-part-1-987986/1/20"> http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/my-enemies-throughout-erepublik-how-we-can-learn-and-grow-part-1-987986/1/20. I've had someone say they wouldn't vote for me because I was a woman...So I've had to deal with sexism in this game. Sad, but true.


~ TE😨 What has been your proudest moment?

Binda33: Being made Commander Marshall of ACUK. We don’t have the largest military in eAustralia, but it’s still nice being trusted with our second strongest troops.

Meghan: Getting into congress in the UK without totally whoring myself out.

PrincessMedyPi: It was the time I held the nation together when Justin's laptop charger exploded and Franco emptied the treasury and destroyed the forums and IRC. I had to take care of immediate national issues, rebuild our communications systems with KT
and scrabman, and take time to reassure every concerned American that we weren't going down without a fight. That was freaking hard work...but I did it. I never really got any recognition for it, but I didn't need it. It just felt good to have the ability to lead us in
what could have potentially been a catastrophe.

Reminisce: Joining the Redbacks (the eAustralian military branch tasked with gifting our elite fighters the Dropbears while they were fighting). I was so happy to be involved in some way, and the experience brought me some great friends.

Tiacha: I don't really say I have a proudest moment. I think there were two things that made me the most happy in this game. Helping to tank and liberate Central Greece and Nuvaut.... And being Scrabman's Chief of Staff. It was exciting to work with someone as intelligent as Scrabman and it was an honor to be his right hand woman and someone he always turned to for advice.


~ TE😨 What are you working on achieving right now?

Binda33: Stability for our eCountry. I think it may take some time, but we’ll get there. We have a lot of differing opinions on what our next move should be, so the next months are likely to be challenging.

Meghan: I'm working on being a tool for the special forces while I still can (I'll have to stop if I get back into congress), I applied for Cabinet Secretary of the eUK, and I just recently found out that I got it! Wow, I wasn't even formally informed!!! hmmm well that's about it...and I'm doing all this to make myself more appealing to those in Lords.

PrincessMedyPi: Right now, I'm looking to be inspired. As most of us old Beta folks have faced, I burned out for a while. Nothing so far has caught my eye, but I'm looking for a nation and a problem that needs and welcomes my help.

Reminisce: eAustralia is in a shaky stage at the moment, and I’d like to see it get through. Whether or not that can be counted as my own achievement is very doubtful, but I’d like to at least make a contribution.

Tiacha: Working on getting NAU back open again. It's partially open now, as the New Senator Orientation is up and running. Just now making sure other professors get their materials up so we can get rolling with this project.


~ TE😨 What advice would you give a new female citizen?

Binda33: Get active and involved in the game. The same advice I’d give any new males. 🙂

Meghan: Flaunt what you have! You are a female; you have many more opportunities than your male counterparts because you are a rarity. Take advantage of what you have. Make sure you know how to work this system though, or else you could be painted in a very poor light, and that's hard to come back from.

PrincessMedyPi: Try to play as a gender neutral for as long as possible. I'm not saying lie about your gender, but I'm saying don't make it an issue. Make a name for yourself outside of your gendered box. That way your qualifications speak for themselves. Plus, if you let your gender out of the bag too early, you get pigeonholed as a stupid woman who is good for nothing else than boobs and lulz. It makes your work 10 times harder. But, if you're able to establish yourself before hand, it makes the transition into claiming your place in the world as a powerful woman 1000 times easier. With a name like PrincessMedyPi, I never had that chance, but I wish I would have. Also, I've always played this game with the mindset that we play as a team. The moment we lose the team
focus, we lose the game so to speak. I've always been willing to pitch in and help out wherever I'm needed. This is how most people get their big break, and I would suggest using it to get yours. That's just my $.02. If you ever want any advice or assistance, feel
free to PM me. I’m very open and honest about my experience, and I would love to help enhance yours.

Reminisce: Persevere for a little while! The start is a little boring and slow, but you just need to get involved. What you put into it is what you get out.

Tiacha: Just be intelligent. People will treat you as an equal and even better if you listen, learn, and add your input.


~ TE😨 Is there anything you’d like to add?

Binda33: Sorry, can’t think of a thing, at this time and must go make dinner for the family. 🙂

PrincessMedyPi: Tiacha and I did a little spot on the old podcast about being a woman; it might be helpful to listen to because it should fill in the gaps of what I misse😛
http://podcast.erepublikusa.com/Home/Entries/2009/3/21_Episode_2.html">http://podcast.erepublikusa.com/Home/Entries/2009/3/21_Episode_2.html

Reminisce: Maybe some of the female players I look up to? I think that Cerridwen Voeland is absolutely fantastic- she has more patience than I could ever have. I have also come to deeply respect Binda33.
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***In the next issue Ember Firespiral, Roxort, Etheodoria Vulpine and more!!!!***