Women learn the basics of defending themselves
There is nothing more dangerous than a pissed off woman.
This was the motto Erin Weed stressed Tuesday night during the self-defense program “Girls Fight Back” in Finch Fieldhouse.
The program highlighted three things Weed feels women must do in order to protect themselves — trusting their intuition, being a bad victim and learning how to fight.
“Learning to open up a can of whoop-ass can be very empowering,” Weed said.
Mason sophomore Emma Jackman was one of more than 100 young women who learned Weed’s self-defense techniques.
“I’m going to feel a lot safer walking around campus knowing the stuff she taught us,” Jackman said.
Weed demonstrated how simple household items can be used as lethal weapons to ward off attack, including key chains, flashlights and even a high-heel.
“It’s amazing how random things can save your life in a bad situation,” said Ortonville sophomore Amanda Day.
Weed also made reference to facebook.com and how women should avoid posting too much personal information on the social networking Web site.
“Don’t put anything you wouldn’t want on the front page of the New York Times online,” Weed said.
Weed has been traveling around the country since 2002 and has spoken to more than 100,000 women about the importance of self-defense. She is not only a self-defense and college safety expert — she is the author of “Girls Fight Back! The College Girls’ Guide to Protecting Herself.”
“Not every bad guy stands out,” Weed said. “It’s the average Joe walking down the street; it is often someone you see everyday.”
Unfortunately there are dangerous people out there and women can either try to avoid them, or they can become educated and learn the tools to fight back, Weed said.
CMU’s Panhellenic Council hosted the program.
For more information on self-defense techniques and Weed, visit her web site at girlsfightback.com.
