CHUCK NORRIS BEWARE:
Deerfield Girls Learn Self Defense

By SARAH OH '10, Staff Reporter

On April 3, 2008, Erin Weed, author of Girls Fight Back, came to the school to teach an important skill to the female members of the student body: self-defense. On September 11, 2001, a close friend of Ms. Weed's, Shannon McNamara, was murdered inside of her own apartment. Ms. McNamara was attacked, but failed to fight back for her life.

In response to this tragedy Ms. Weed, a native of Chicago and a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, devoted her life to teaching self defense. Ms. Weed has spoken to over 10,000 people, and created the Girls Fight Back program.

"Stop. Leave me alone. I don't want any problems," she instructed Deerfield girls to say when approached uncomfortably. Ms. Weed further advised her audience to appear confident and proactive in questionable situations, and taught them what to say to potential predators. Apparently, some assailants can be chased off merely by strong and confident body language.

Ms. Weed taught the girls how to avoid appearing as vulnerable victims. She also taught some basic martial arts moves to use against the "bad guys," including a strike to the nose, a knee to the groin, and an elbow jab into the back.

Rachel Teague '10 commented on the presentation, "It gave me the impression that it would be easy to get away from harmful people, but it's not that easy. I know this is due to four years of Tae Kwon Do. But, she also has some important points like, 'always fight back'."

Ms. Weed cautioned that surviving from scenarios involving weapons is extremely difficult. However, the main message Ms. Weed wanted all women to learn is quite simple: be confident in yourself, and don't live in constant fear of an assault.

Listening to Ms. Weed's advice can go a long way. However, only practice and training can truly help a victim survive, and so Jennifer Bealer, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Annual Support, came up with the idea of holding a self-defense workshop at Deerfield. She requested Dorian Gregory, Accountant of Temporary Finance, as the instructor. Soon after, Kristin Loftus, Mrs. Bealer, and Mrs. Gregory began planning for these classes.

Both Mrs. Gregory and Ms. Bealer have extensive self-defense teaching experience, with black belts in the martial arts. These two self-defense workshops took place on Monday, May 5, and Saturday, May 17.

As published in the May 21, 2008 issue of the Deerfield Scroll, the monthly newspaper of Deerfield Academy.