There is a lot of talk about the gender imbalance in crossword construction. Some people argue that computer-assisted construction and computational approaches are contributing to this issue. Other people argue that this issue is not directly related to women's lack of representation in the field but to the way they think. A lack of representation in this industry means that clues can be racially or gender insensitive. To combat this imbalance, some experts have suggested mentoring and encouraging women, crossword constructors.
The first thing to consider is the skill of the constructor. While some people have the gift of writing a puzzle, others struggle to do it on a regular basis.
According to Amy Reynaldo, co-editor of the Daily Celebrity Crossword, the decline in female crossword constructors can be attributed to changes in the lifestyle of working women. The resulting shortage of time for female crossword constructors could be partly due to the fact that they are more likely to have a demanding jobs. Even then, there are quite a few notable female crossword creators.
Some female crossword constructors include:
Anna Shechtman
Despite this decline in the number of female crossword constructors, Shechtman has made a name for herself as one of the most successful female crossword constructors. Since joining The New York Times as an assistant puzzle editor, she has influenced dozens of grids, and her work has helped to justify some modern words. In addition to making the crossword world more inclusive, she has also welcomed a new generation of crossword enthusiasts.
Shechtman's first crossword puzzle was themed "midterm," and she was only twenty-five when she decided to try her hand at this new endeavor. Since then, she has been working to make crosswords more inclusive for a diverse readership. And while it may be a daunting task, it is one that rewards the mind and entertains at the same time.
Mary Pao
Mary Pao has, over the years, used her experience as a crossword constructor to subvert the traditional norms and encourage voices that are underrepresented. In her new book, Women In Crossword Constructors: The Power of Women in the Field, Pao details the many ways that women have made crossword puzzles.
Since the creation of Pao's first crossword puzzle in 2006, he puzzles are the most sought after in the industry. Her early puzzles included Baton Rouge restaurants, Mardi Gras parades, French Quarter street names, and New Orleans Hornets.