Who am I?
I’m Amethysta Herrick, Ph.D. - Ami for short, and Purplepaw to some. Throughout my life, I've been driven by an insatiable desire to understand why the universe works the way it does.
My academic journey led me through molecular biology to a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, where I focused on experimental design and data analysis. For years, I applied this scientific mindset as a software engineer and executive, believing my analytical skills were my primary contribution to the world.
Then, in 2022, everything changed.
My sense of belonging shifted in the most profound way when I transitioned gender to align the person I always knew I was on the inside with my external presentation. This wasn't just a physical transformation—it was cognitive and emotional as well. For the first time in my life, I truly felt emotions with a depth and richness I never knew was possible.
Within months of this life-altering experience, I recognized a new calling: to integrate my scientific background with my personal journey to help others understand and navigate the complex terrain of gender and identity.
The analytical chemist, the software engineer, and the transgender woman merged into a unique voice—one grounded in research but elevated by lived experience. One that could speak with authority about both the science of identity and its deeply human reality.
Why subscribe?
My work dives deep into the origin and nature of identity, particularly gender, because let’s be honest—figuring out who we are is a full-time job, and I’ve made it mine. Through my writing, podcasts, and videos, I explore these topics freely on The Purplepaw Blog—the website I founded so we can actually have these conversations without someone shouting into the void (or worse, Twitter).
Identity isn’t just a Queer thing—it’s a human thing. Every single person, at some point, asks, “Who am I?” and “Why does this all feel like an existential rollercoaster?” My mission is to show that gender and identity exploration aren’t fringe ideas—they’re fundamental human experiences.
So if you’re curious, confused, or just along for the ride—welcome. Let’s figure this out together.
