Humid air rose to the top floor of Helium, one of Portland's top comedy clubs, as groups of spectators made their way to tightly cramped tables. On this night last summer, Helium was hosting the finals of the Portland Funniest Competition -- and 10 comedians eagerly waited to compete. One of the finalists, Kelly Ryan, stepped out. Ryan adjusted her tight leather jacket and pulled her pink hair out of her face. She had five minutes to make a winning impression.

"I know when I got up here, you guys were like ... she is smoking," Ryan started her set, the crowd giggling. "Okay, trust me, it's hard being this good looking, I swear." Ryan tossed her hair back. "I can't even go into a Fred Meyer without someone being like 'Do you work here?' It's very difficult."

The crowd roared.

Her skit went on for another five minutes -- and so did the laughter. This set would open up a door of opportunities.

Thirty minutes later, the judges had their winner -- Kelly Ryan. And it wasn't just a win for Ryan but for many women pursuing comedy.

According to one survey, only 11.3% of comedians are women. But since winning, Ryan not only has booked shows from Portland to Los Angeles, but also has raised her portfolio to support her fellow female comedians.

"Whenever someone reaches out to me, I will always recommend certain women in comedy that I know are good. I try to help whenever I can,” Ryan said. 

She has become a support system to other women trying to do what she does. Ryan has befriended several women hoping to make it on the comedy circuit. Emily Browning, an LA native, said Ryan didn’t need the Portland Funniest Competition to be taken seriously among her peers.

“Kelly has always had the first-place sticker on her chest,” Browning said. “I’m glad she’s got that sticker. It helps her fit in the professional field.” Ryan and Browning perform together at times, and try to attend each other’s shows. “We consult on how assertive we should be, how aggressive we should be in the industry. Female comics got each other’s backs,” Browning said.

Ryan’s mix of confidence and outspokenness is a force to be reckoned with, her sister Ali said.

“Kelly’s motto is, ‘If everybody likes you, then you’re not doing anything to change anything,’ which I agree with,” Ali said.

Kelly draws in a wide range of comedy lovers, the people she wants to surround herself with. “My demographic is pretty random. Old lesbians are definitely on my team, and they’re fun to have,” she said. “Basically, anyone that wants to have a good time is my demographic.”