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Cycling Fri Nov 11 2011
TyK Pinup Proceeds Empower Women to Speak Up
Ms. August, as featured in the 2012 TyK calendar. / Photo: Kimberly Capriotti Illustration: Jana Kinsman
You know what happens when you assume: you make an ass out of you and... me? Or her? Wait, which pinup are we pinning this tale on, anyway?
The Thought You Knew pinup calendar takes real-life female cyclists from Chicago and styles them as their self-chosen pin-up alter egos. TyK aims to promote female empowerment and ownership of one's sexuality. Controversy surrounding the fourth installment of the calendar has swelled on Facebook and message boards during the past week, after a few TyK models got the attention of the cycling community by revealing they only recently learned proceeds from the 2012 calendar would not be donated to the Chicago Women's Health Center, as they had been in previous years. Some models said they felt "duped" by the news, and rumors about plans for the proceeds quickly followed.
TyK founder Alexis Finch responded via Facebook, clarifying plans for the 2012 funds, TyK's relationship with the CWHC and other concerns. In the note she said 2012 funds would stay within TyK's LLC to help start "The Monthly Cycle" programs in cities nationwide, bringing women into bike shops to learn basic mechanic skills and meet employees.
The thigh-high accusations have continued, however. Were participants wrong to assume the donation would remain the same as in years prior? Or should they have been informed of TyK's expanding direction before photo shoots started in June?
All this fuss over an issue concerning the opinion of female cyclists sure is making me feel...empowered.
While it's unfortunate some of 2012's TyK models lent legs and lashes under false assumptions, the whole controversy is a testament to the female cycling community Chicago has. We have a presence. We have a voice. We can speak out with confidence, because we have an audience. (And a number of us don't just pose in pumps, we ride in them too.)
To be clear, local female riders are still hugely outnumbered on the streets and at races, but compared to other cities, Chicago's scene is an example to look toward for attracting more females to cycling. Fifty applicants vied for pages in the 2012 calendar alone.
It's certainly not just pinup fantasies that have strengthened our numbers. Chicago boasts a diverse array of projects with interwoven intentions: Bike Fancy catches up with women on their bikes while Women's and Trans Night at West Town Bikes provides a less intimidating environment for women to practice bike mechanic skills; Pretty. Fast. aims to introduce women to bike racing while Chicago Women's Bike Racing keeps them informed. Just to name a few.
There is some criticism that the proceeds from 2012's Chicago-produced calendar are funding projects in other cities and not Chicago, but women should be proud to share what we've accomplished, knowing the 2012 calendar reminds us of our community at its strongest yet -- one TyK will be helping other cities strive toward.
I find the dedicated work and passion of my peers as it continues to develop our community's voice a hundred times more empowering than any stuffy corset or itchy stockings ever could be.
Weronika / November 11, 2011 8:22 AM
Hello :) Thank you so much for this article. I have been part of TyK for 2 years now, in a more behind the scenes way. It is so disappointing to see all of the "bad press" coming to an organization that does SO MUCH good. Thanks for an honest article that shines some sense into this messy situation.