LOGAN SQUARE — A new tabletop gaming night for women, femmes and gender‑expansive players filled Babe’s Sports Bar on Thursday, with 95 gamers gathering for a beginner‑friendly Dungeons & Dragons session. The event, organized by the She Rolls Initiative, was announced only a week earlier and sold out quickly, prompting organizers to consider a second gathering.
Local organizers respond to demand
Katarina Merlini, a board member of the Chicago Tabletop Game Association, spearheaded the effort after searching for a venue that could accommodate a larger crowd. “We’ve literally been shocked and bowled over by the level of interest,” Merlini said, noting that 15 volunteers helped run the night.
She Rolls is part of a broader push by the Chicago Tabletop Game Association to attract more women and femme‑identifying people to Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop adventure games. The group hopes to expand access across the Midwest and create space for gamers who have felt on the fringes of the hobby.
Why Dungeons & Dragons appeals to families and creators
Merlini explained that Dungeons & Dragons offers world‑building, creativity, writing and storytelling opportunities, making it a natural fit for “literary nerds” and families who enjoy collaborative imagination. Recent mainstream exposure—through shows like Stranger Things, the 2023 film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, video games such as Baldur’s Gate 3, and popular podcasts—has drawn more women, nonbinary people and femmes to the table.
“It’s always been more diverse than people give it credit for, but as nerd culture hits the mainstream, we’re seeing more people not only interested online but eager to sit down and play,” Merlini said.
Building a pipeline for new players
The She Rolls Initiative grew out of a census survey of the association’s roughly 1,400 members, half of whom identified as women. While women are not yet the majority at most events, the strong response to She Rolls shows a clear appetite for female‑leaning game sessions.
Board members Lindsay Keildeen and Madeline Black joined Merlini in crafting the program, which aims to provide tools, mentorship and low‑barrier entry points for newcomers. “People just need to be given tools to learn and options,” Merlini said. “The real gap we’ve seen is how do we get people who are interested in the games, which is the gap we’re hoping to fulfill with, at least in part, She Rolls.”
Future plans and community impact
Buoyed by the sold‑out event, the organizers are exploring additional partnerships and venues for future She Rolls nights. They also hope to develop a professional network that serves as a “nervous system” for anything tabletop‑related in the region.
The Chicago Tabletop Game Association, launched last year, continues to host a variety of events across the city, offering advice, tools and mentorship for players of all experience levels. By fostering inclusive spaces like She Rolls, the group aims to strengthen the local gaming community and ensure that families and individuals of all backgrounds feel welcome at the table.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
