Not only was the presentation inspiring, it was entertaining and perfectly suited for a college audience. A great sense of confidence and power came over the room when girls started learning the self-defense moves. After the program so many girls wanted nothing more but to enroll in a self-defense course because it was such a rewarding experience
Lorin, Georgia Institute of Technology
Because Fighting Like a Girl is a Very Good Thing!
On June 12, 2001—just 9 days shy of her 22nd birthday—Shannon McNamara was murdered by an intruder who broke into her college apartment in Charleston, IL. She planned on becoming a physical education teacher and track coach after graduating, and she would have been amazing at both. On the night of her death and under the worst of circumstances, Shannon chose to physically fight back against the stranger in her home. In doing so she provided crucial physical evidence that lead police to her killer. It was the person you would least expect: a 26-year-old male college student who lived across the street. In 2003, he was convicted of 1st degree murder and today he sits on Illinois Death Row awaiting execution. Shannon was Erin Weed’s inspiration for founding Girls Fight Back.
Girls Fight Back is a 90-minute presentation addressing women’s safety and self-defense. The presentation combines cutting-edge safety training, empowerment and simple techniques that are easy to remember. The program is delivered in a comedic fashion, using a practical and down-to-earth approach to women’s safety and self-defense.
The Girls Fight Back presentation team is made up of professionally trained speakers and self-defense instructors. Founder & CEO Erin Weed trained each presenter, and the team is well educated in the areas of intuition, risk reduction, rape prevention, self-defense and public speaking.
To watch the entire Girls Fight Back presentation and to get more information about the presentation, visit girlsfightback.com
After taking part in Girls Fight Back, students will have a better understanding of:
- That violence can happen, even on the safest campuses
- What is intuition, and how to know when it’s communicating with you
- Ways to reduce the risk of being victimized and strategies for staying safe
- Examples of boundary setting and how to convey strong body language
- Practical and effective self-defense strategies any girl can use, regardless of size
- Improvised weapons that every woman carries in her purse, and how to use them
Presentation Details
- 1.5-hour interactive keynote catered for larger groups or smaller sessions with officers/leaders
- One Girls Fight Back presenter provided
- Risk Reduction Techniques & Strategies - avoiding violence in the first place on the street, in the home, on the web and in social situations
- Interactive self-defense training, covering self-defense techniques while standing, on the ground and how to use improvised weapons. Presentations are “no contact” which means all attendees practice on an “imaginary mugger.”
- Resources on how to find a local self-defense class and take proactive steps in life to live safe, strong and happy
- A longer, more interactive workshop will be available November 2010
Who Is This Ideal For?
- Sorority Chapters and Councils
- Women’s Groups
- Health Centers
- Sexual Assault Prevention Committees
- Residence Hall Associations
- Spring Break Safety presentations
- Large Groups welcome
**To bring Girls Fight Back to a Programming Board, please contact Bass-Schuler Entertainment at 773.481.2600
