Mar

20

Spring Break in Mexico

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Today I was interviewed by the Christian Science Monitor about spring break trips to Mexico right now.  The main question was, “Should students simply avoid Mexico because of the drug wars?”  Personally, I think that might be a bit extreme.  That’s like saying, “Most attacks against women happen at night, therefore you should never go out after dark.”  The thing is, life is risk.  Crime and violence are something we must live with for now, until we find a way to make everyone agree a peaceful world is the way to go.  So until that eutopian society emerges, let’s get smart, get empowered and make informed choices.

Furthermore, there’s nothing I hate more than people telling young women to make choices stemming from fear. So many women I meet on the road are truly paralyzed in their life out of fearing for their personal safety.  It’s sad, and you have to wonder what great contributions are being held back from a nation of incredible women becuase we’re scared of our shadows! Think about it.  What places have you not seen out of fear?  What experiences have you missed out of fear?  Most women have at least one big regret in this department.

That being said, let’s not make choices out of ignorance either.  No matter what life issue at hand, I believe it’s always good to be educated.  Do your homework.  Read up on your options, and make conscious decisions.  Whether this is about health or finance or real estate or safety, know the facts before you leap.  So if you’re thinking about heading to Mexico, I highly recommend you turn to the Internet.  The Bureau of Consular Affairs does a good job of keeping its pulse on all the contries in the world.  Click here to read about the safety precautions and the spots to avoid in Mexico right now.

As I write this now, I’m in sunny Flordida.  Travel is your friend!  Wishing you all happy journeys and safe returns.

Mar

15

Survey about women’s self-defense

Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog, Safety & Self-Defense | 1 Comment

I’ve been having conversations lately with people from all walks of life about what women really want in self-defense training.  Do they truly want to learn how to protect themselves?  In what class format? How much money are they willing to spend? What are their fears in taking a class?

The problem with being so engrossed in this issue of violence against women is that I have lost perspective on what everyday women really want.  I’m hoping you can fill out this anonymous, 15-question survey to tell me what you’re looking for in personal safety education…if you’re even seeking it at all.  Please be brutally honest, as I am working with a team of people to provide learning options for women based on this data. I’d greatly appreciate you forwarding this link to women in your life as well.  (You can only take the survey once from any given computer.  Please send others the exact link below.)

Click below to take the survey – Thank You!

http://tinyurl.com/celpke

Mar

14

EIU to sponsor women’s safety seminar

Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog | 1 Comment

Eastern Illinois University is delighted to announce its second installment of our Alumni Speakers Series. You’re invited to join fellow alumni and friends for our upcoming EIU Women’s Luncheon: “Inspiring Empowerment.” Please join us for this unique opportunity for networking and a special presentation by Eastern alumna Erin Weed ‘99.

Erin Weed is a professional speaker, author, certified women’s self-defense instructor and Founder/CEO of Girls Fight Back!. She is a personal safety and self-defense expert who has given over 500 seminars at colleges and corporations nationwide. She is a regular contributor to many nationally published magazines and has been featured on CNN, the CBS Early Show, and Fox News, among many other public appearances.

Although there is no cost to attend this event attendees are encouraged to donate a minimum of $10 per person towards one of three EIU supported scholarships.  (Shannon McNamara Outstanding Physical Education Student Scholarship, Brenda Edgar Scholarship for Women or Carol Specht Memorial Scholarship)

Saturday, May 2
10:30 am – Registration
11:00 am – Keynote Speaker Erin Weed ‘99; “Women’s Safety 101″ (open to the public)
12:30 pm – Lunch (Compliments of the EIU Alumni Association – for EIU Alumni only)
Hyatt Regency Woodfield
Mahogany Ballroom
1800 East Golf Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173

To register, call 1-800-ALUM-EIU.