There are approximately 50 fulltime women magicians in the world. Women overall are a minority of the magicians who perform today. Of the 7,000 members of the Society of American Magicians, the largest magic organization in the country, 479 are women about 7.5 percent. In the organization’s 157-person New York chapter only two are women.

Historically, women have been the magician's assistant. Bringing props on and off stage, getting used in a myriad of torture devises, dancing, and often, making the magic work while the magician gets the applause.

Many magicians wives have done their share on stage, but almost always as assistants. Doug Henning, Mark Wilson and The Great Tomsoni, Johnny Thompson, all used their wives in their acts. Thompson's wife started to break the mold for ladies in magic. A former actress, she refused to be another prop. She developed her role as assistant in a character. Although still "an assistant," her gum-chewing and eyeball rolling were as much a part of the show as Johnny's incredible magic.

Today, husband and wife teams like the Pendragons, Jonathan and Charlotte, share the applause, working as a team to create some of the grandest of illusions.

As a professional magician, I love the art of magic. Magiciannes like Jade bring a new look to magic. Moving with grace, their feminine attributes add a beauty to the stage that hasn't existed in the past. Flowers, silk hankies and butterflies, used extensively by magicians in a variety of ways, appear so much more appropriate in the delicate hands of a lady then a man.

I encourage anyone with an interest in magic to head to the library, learn some tricks and start amazing their friends. It is a great hobby. But even more, I wish to encourage any lady with an interest in this artform to pursue it. We need more lady magicians, in our magic clubs and on the stage.

Dancers, storytellers and clowns can add magic to their performances for a richer, more captivating program. Schoolteachers can use it to illustrate scientific principles. Mothers can use it to entertain and motivate their children.

I hope this article may have encouraged you to further explore the world of magic. If you enjoyed this article, please forward it to a friend. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to contact me.