Where have all the ladies gone?

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 4:02 pm

In less than two weeks I'll be leaving with 25 other women for two weeks of training in Okinawa. 26 women doing Uechi.

However - this forum and the locker room are regularly posted on by....4-5 other women besides myself on a regular basis and by another 5-8 women on an less frequent basis. And then about three times a year we get a woman who comes by for one thread and then leaves.

I'd like to know if there are topics or discussions that would help draw more dialog. Are there topics I'm ignoring? I'm only a sample of one - and I don't know what questions and concerns other women may have and that men may have about women in martial arts.

Believe me - I'm open to criticism. Shout out, talk it up, vent, whatever. I'll listen.

hoshin · Post by **hoshin** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 5:20 pm

Dana;
i am not a women as you know but i just wanted to say hi and dont get discouraged. i think your a good moderator. i have noticed a decline in conversation on the forums across the board. so its not just the womens forum. there may not be much going on in the forums at the moment but it will change.
have a nice trip to okinawa.

hoshin
~~~~~

KZMiller · Post by **KZMiller** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 7:32 pm

I think you're doing a fine job as a moderator. I agree with Hoshin that there has been an overall decline in volume. Also, I haven't been doing my part. I feel like I've worked out 90% of my issues as far as training in a male dominated arena and so I don't have a lot of questions for myself. I could, however, post questions I *used* to have to see who's thinking or worrying out there about those things. Maybe it's a women's issue in and of itself that we try to bottle up our complaints and concerns so we don't appear whiney.

And still another issue

is that there aren't that many women floating around the martial arts boards anyway. Anyone have a number compared to the male members?

When I finally get into that Goju dojo I've been trying to get to (I haven't even been able to find its location yet, it's in the boonies like me! Grr, excuses excuses) I'm sure I'll have all kinds of stuff that will come up. Maybe I'll even revisit some of those issues I thought I'd gotten over.

So keep on truckin' and good luck in Okinawa!

Kami

Mary S · Post by **Mary S** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 11:00 pm

Dana, although I am not involved in the Uechi scene anymore, I think you do a "bang-up" job on this forum. I check your forum out all the time and much of what is posted here is a reflection of women involved in any sport.

I've just come from the first game of the IIHF World Women's Hockey Championships being held here in Halifax (USA just whupped Switzerland) and tonight Canada takes on China. I am thankful everyday that women are involved in sports around the world and here, on your forum, they voice their passion for sport.

Keep up the good work. You deserve a pat on the back...and best of luck on the Friendship Tour - I believe we all expect details upon your return!!!

Raffi Derderian · Post by **Raffi Derderian** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 1:36 am

Dana, You are doing an excellent job on this forum. Way better than I ever did as a moderator. All forums have their ups and downs. I imagine your trip to Okinawa will give you dozens of topics to throw out at eveyone. Bring a notepad because you will forget them.
Raf

Post by **gmattson** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 2:43 am

a computer camera. . . You can broadcast your reports via our On-Line Conference Center. . .

I know you will be very busy, but please try to keep in touch. I'm sure there are a computer or two on the Island with internet connections. And seriously, check out the Conference Room.

Good luck....

CANDANeh · Post by **CANDANeh** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 2:55 am

that men may have about women in martial arts.

Hmmm... some questions may lead to being "flogged." But there may just be some worth asking on this forum. Savour your trip and wish you the best.

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 3:49 pm

Goodness. Thanks so much for the support - both through this forum and through private emails! It's true that women are an ever-growing presence in the world of sport. I'm just greedy - I want women to flock to Uechi as they are to kick-boxing and yoga.

I'll do my best to post on the island - and I'm also going to be recruiting other women on the trip to come back and share their experiences on this forum.

I'm planning on bringing a couple of cameras but no laptop this trip. I'll do my best to find my way to an internet cafe or two...and I'll definitely get all the still film processed to CD.

It's going to be an adventure!!!

:D:D:D

Dana

RACastanet · Post by **RACastanet** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 5:17 pm

Hello Dana. I regularly check the threads on your forum and find them interesting. Even though I rarely contribute, I enjoy reading the perspectives of the ladies involved in martial arts.

Have a great trip.

Regards, Rich

Rick Wilson · Post by **Rick Wilson** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:19 am

I am with everyone else Dana you do a great job. Enjoy your trip.

Bevwy · Post by **Bevwy** » Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:20 pm

Hi Dana

I'm relatively new to forums , don't have much free time to post questions myself , sometimes I've found that by browsing the pages here then questions I'd considered raising had been covered off somewhere or other.
So help me out without me having to post anything.
When I have posted a comment the feedback has been positive, friendly and very helpful.

I agree that you are doing a fab job , have a great time in Okinawa.

Where have all the ladies gone?

Where have all the ladies gone?

Bring your computer and . . .