“I can’t tell you how good it feels to be in a space with other women who are like me.” – Venica Miller
Empowering Women of Color Through Self-Defense: We Are Worth Defending
We Are Worth Defending (WAWD) is making a powerful impact on the Columbus community with its Empowerment Self-Defense classes specifically for women of color. Featured recently by NBC4 Columbus, these classes provide practical tools to help participants protect themselves from verbal and physical abuse, while fostering a supportive community of empowerment.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 38% of women in Ohio experience intimate partner violence, and women of color are disproportionately affected. WAWD’s self-defense program addresses this issue head-on by teaching women how to set boundaries—both with strangers and loved ones—and giving them confidence to defend themselves when necessary.
Instructor Dez Shallenberg emphasizes that learning to set boundaries, especially with people we care about, can be challenging, but it’s an essential skill. Participants like Venica Miller, who is also the program manager, speak of the importance of building this community, stating, “I can’t tell you how good it feels to be in a space with other women who are like me.”
Dr. Julie Harmon, Director of IMPACT Safety, echoes a sentiment many women are familiar with: being taught to be “nice” often hinders setting clear limits. WAWD’s approach aims to reshape that mentality, encouraging women to prioritize their safety unapologetically.
Participants not only leave these sessions feeling more empowered—they also gain the skills to pay it forward by training others, creating a ripple effect of empowerment in their community.
To learn more about this life-changing program, watch the full video on NBC4 Columbus’s YouTube channel here or visit We Are Worth Defending to explore opportunities to join and support this vital work. Together, we can ensure that safety is a right, not a privilege.
