Key takeaways:

• Noelle Cook’s new book The Conspiracists explores women’s extremism.
• She tracked 100 arrested women and found many were middle-aged.
• Two key figures, Yvonne St. Cyr and Tammy Butry, led parts of the Capitol riot.
• Isolation and online groups fueled a sense of belonging and purpose.

On January 6, 2021, ethnographer and photographer Noelle Cook drove to Washington, D.C. She planned only to take pictures of the “Stop the Steal” rally. Instead, she stumbled on rioters smashing through Congress. She watched emergency teams carry out the body of Ashli Babbitt, shot by police as she tried to enter the House chamber. Shocked, Cook later realized she held the start of a project on women’s extremism.

After returning home, Cook spent weeks studying her photos. Next, she decided to track the first 100 women arrested for Jan. 6 actions. She read court files, news reports and social media posts. She wanted to find patterns in their backgrounds and online lives. What emerged was a clear picture of women’s extremism blossoming amid fear and isolation.

The Roots of Women’s Extremism

Cook discovered many of these women were in middle age. They found themselves homebound during the pandemic while caring for kids or aging parents. With little chance to socialize in person, they turned to Facebook groups and chat rooms. There, they found new friends and leaders who offered simple answers to complex problems. This mix of conspiracy theories and New Age ideas is called conspirituality. It pushed them further into radical views.

At first, they shared memes or talked about freedom. Yet soon, their conversations turned darker. They warned of shadowy elites, plotted violence, and praised January 6. In online echo chambers, facts gave way to feelings. Members felt they had found a true community. That sense of belonging fueled women’s extremism.

Faces of Extremism: Yvonne St. Cyr and Tammy Butry

To humanize these trends, Cook focused on two women. Yvonne St. Cyr led a group of rioters through tunnels under the Capitol, urging them to push through locked doors. Tammy Butry marched inside wearing a Trump flag as a cape, snapping selfies in the halls. She even took a swig of whiskey in a spot where lawmakers vote on laws.

St. Cyr would serve 30 months in prison. Butry got 20 days. Yet both stories show how ordinary women crossed a line. They were moms, workers and neighbors. Still, they joined a violent mob. Their paths illustrate the power of online groups and shared fears.

How Online Communities Fuel Belonging

For many of the women Cook studied, online groups were lifelines. They offered support when real life felt too hard. They shared parenting tips, anti-vaccine advice, or healing crystals. Each message pulled them deeper into the same circle. Soon, they trusted the group over scientists or the news. They felt they had uncovered hidden truths. This gave them a clear purpose, and that sense of mission drove them to January 6.

When Facts Don’t Matter

Cook found that facts do little to sway true believers. Once women felt accepted by a group, they shut out outside voices. After January 6, most showed no regret. In fact, they felt emboldened when political leaders pardoned many riot participants. They saw these pardons as proof they were right all along. This validation deepened their trust in conspiracy theories.

More recently, a top health official rolled back vaccine guidance. Many conspiracists cheered. They saw it as a nod to their anti-vaccine stance. With each political move in their favor, women’s extremism finds fresh fuel. And as long as leaders hint at support, these groups stay energized.

Challenging Extremism with Empathy

Cook did not try to shame the women she met. Instead, she listened. She asked why they believed what they did. She discovered they clung to these ideas for comfort and community. Simply countering myths with facts often fails. People need personal reasons to question their views. Cook hopes her book makes readers see the human side of these conspirators. Only then can we find new ways to help people step back from the edge.

Why This Story Matters

The Conspiracists comes out on the fifth anniversary of January 6. It sheds light on how fear and isolation can fuel radical acts. It warns us that online echo chambers and conspiracies can turn ordinary people into extremists. Above all, it shows the power of empathy. By reaching out instead of shutting down, we can build real connections and counter the lure of dangerous beliefs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What drives women’s extremism?

Many women turn to conspiracy groups for community and answers during times of stress and isolation.

Why did Noelle Cook focus on middle-aged women?

She found that many of the first 100 women arrested on January 6 were in middle age and shared similar life pressures.

What is conspirituality?

Conspirituality blends conspiracy theories with New Age ideas like healing crystals, anti-vaccine views and anti-government warnings.

How can we challenge extremist beliefs?

Empathy and personal connection matter more than facts alone. People need safe spaces to share doubts before they reconsider their views.