Feb

2

Lee’s Blog

Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog | Leave a Comment

For months now, I’ve been writing about my friend on a mission to end global violence named Lee Sinclair.  She founded the non-profit group, I’m Worth Defending, which is Kenya’s first women’s self-defense program.  She lives in San Francisco but is currently working in Kenya, along with another crusader named Carol Middleton.  Carol is the founder/owner of DC Krav Maga and DC Impact.  Together they are meeting with the trainers and taking their skills to the next level.  Can’t wait to join Lee in Kenya in January 2010, but in the meantime I’m loyally reading her blog.  Yesterday they visited a refugee rescue center and taught self-defense to teen girls covered head to toe in burkas.  Wow.  Read about Lee’s daily happenings by clicking here.

Jan

7

8th Annual Fundraiser at Slugger’s in Chicago

Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog | 6 Comments

It’s already been 8 years, but here I am, publicizing yet another awesome fundraiser in memory of an amazing girl.  Every March since 2002, hundreds of people have come out for a night of fun, music and mayhem in memory of Shannon McNamara, the inspiration behind Girls Fight Back.  Each year we’ve worked to raise money for a specific project that is geared towards making women and girls safer and stronger.  This year is particularly significant, as it’s the first time our goal is to raise money for women half a world away in Nairobi, Kenya.

I first met Lee Sinclair, founder of I’m Worth Defending, in July 2008.  We were both speaking at the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation annual conference.  We developed an immediate girl crush on each other and I’m simply in awe of what this woman has accomplished in such a short amount of time.  I’ll be traveling to Kenya in January 2010 to teach women’s safety and self-defense with Lee, and during 2009 I’ll be busy fundraising for it.  It’s my hope to also bring along a film crew and make a documentary about the experience.  The world needs to see what is happening in Africa, and so little money makes such a huge difference there.

So this year on Fri. March 13th, we’ll be partying it up, remembering Shannon and raising money for I’m Worth Defending.  If you cannot attend the event, I’m hoping you will consider making a donation by clicking here.  My goal is to raise $10,000 during 2009 for the trip in 2010.  Here’s a little more event info, for all you crazy Chicagoans…I will see you there.

DATE: Friday, March 13, 2009
TIME: 8:00 pm – 12:00 midnight
LOCATION: Slugger’s (across from Wrigley Field)
3540 N. Clark, Chicago, IL
COST: $35 per person – all you can drink beer, wine, well drinks
*Please be responsible. Don’t drink and drive.*

Aug

5

I’m Worth Defending

Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog, Safety & Self-Defense, Social Entrepreneurship | Leave a Comment

I’d like to introduce you all to my new friend and soul sister, Lee Sinclair.  Lee started Africa’s first women’s self-defense program in the slums of Kenya back in 2001.  Lee is a writer and activist living in San Francisco, and was first brought to Kenya while coordinating a child care and sponsorship program for AIDS orphans. It was her experiences with these vulnerable children and their stories of rape, incest and sexual abuse that led Lee to realize that her own Self-Defense training could be lifesaving when applied to children living in the area.  Lee began teaching SD to small groups of local children but it quickly became clear that the problem deserved a larger effort. In February 2007, with the help of two US based Self Defense Instructors, Susannah MacKaye and Wendi Deetz, the first I’m Worth Defending team was formed in Korogocho slum Kenya. On February 26th 2007, after a month of specialized training, classes began. Since then, thousands of women and children have learned self-defense…and self-worth in the process.  Lee and I are planning some exciting international projects, so stay tuned.

Watch video about I’m Worth Defending.