empowerment | Divas In Defense®

Justice For All

The month of May quietly, but swiftly, sneaked up on us. April brought us Sexual Assault Awareness Month as well as several interesting stories hovering through the news. In the last few days of April, 55 colleges throughout the U.S were named by the Department of Education as being under investigation for sexual assaults under Title IX. According to Title IX, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Many of the colleges listed are some of the most prestigious schools in the country such as Vanderbilt University, Princeton University, Harvard College, and University of Southern California, to name a few. This is a huge step in the right direction seeing as one out of every four college females claims they survived an attempted or completed sexual assault during their time at a campus. It’s wonderful to see the most influential leaders of our country stepping up for women all across the country. Even some celebrities are raising their voices on the issue:

Another recent development is the abduction of more than 250 school girls from a school in Nigeria. The world waits, holding its breath, to find out if these poor girls are safe. An Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for the kidnappings. What can you do to help? Get on Twitter and use the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls to raise awareness on the subject and to give some comfort to the victim’s families that you support them and hope for their daughter’s/sister’s/friend’s safe return. It may not seem like a lot, but the families of these girls, who might even be your age, need your support and love.

Power To The Woman

Women have come a long way since their fight for suffrage in the 19th century. There is even an entire month, March, dedicated to women and all of their accomplishments. It wasn’t always that way though. At first there was only an International Women’s Day, started in 1909, then National Women’s History Week in 1981. It’s crazy to think that just a century ago, women couldn’t vote, own land, get an education, and rarely had jobs. As of 2012, according to the Census Bureau, 41.6% of females 16 years old and over hold jobs while only 34.7% of men in the same age group hold jobs. The Census Bureau also concludes that 56.8% of all college students are females. A few females who paved the way for all women include:

Catherine Brewer, the first female to earn a Bachelor’s degree from what is now Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia
Amelia Earhart, first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean
Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female Supreme Court Justice
Patricia Harris, the first black, woman cabinet member in the U.S

Those four women are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Women’s History Month. You can check out a timeline from DiversityInc.com with tons of facts.

Women’s History Month; Honorees

Hate women? Well March is not your month. Saturday was the official start to Women’s History Month. March 2014, we celebrate women of colors and backgrounds, from homemakers to movers-and-shakers. The National Women’s History Project announced this year’s theme is Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment. The honorees that were submitted include those of past and present resilience. While all the honorees are notable, Divas In Defense has selected three that really speak to the versatility of the honorees.

Image Courtsey of National Women's History Project

Tammy Duckworth (1968 – Present)
Member of Congress and Iraq War Veteran
Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Representative from Illinois, is an Iraq War veteran and former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In 2014, she became the first disabled woman elected to serve in the House of Representatives. Duckworth has a strong record advocating and implementing improvements to veteran’s services. In 2004, she was deployed to Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. She was one of the first Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom until her helicopter was hit by an RPG on November 12 2004. She lost her legs and partial use of her right arm in the explosion and was subsequently awarded a Purple Heart for her combat injuries.

Image courtesy of National Women's History Project

Arden Eversmeyer (1931 – Present)
The Old Lesbian Oral Herstory Project Founder
Arden Eversmeyer founded the Old Lesbian Oral Herstory Project (1999), to ensure that the stories of lesbians born in the first part of the 20th century, who were labeled “mentally ill”, fired from their jobs, rejected by their families, and even raped and murdered with impunity, are recorded in history. Project volunteers have documented over 320 diverse life stories recording the sacrifices and obstacles faced by lesbians of that era. The collection is now archived, and continues to grow, as part of the prestigious Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College. Today Eversmeyer is proud to live in a time when she can be her true self with acquaintances, friends, family, medical professionals, and everyone

Image Courtesy of National Women's History Project

Anna Julia Haywood Cooper (1858 – 1964)
African American Educator and Author
Anna J. Cooper was an author, educator, speaker, and among the leading intellectuals of her time. Born into enslavement, she wrote “A Voice from the South,” widely considered one of the first articulations of Black feminism. Throughout her long life, Anna worked for the betterment of African American women’s lives, which she saw as the foundation for a more just society for everyone. Cooper worked at Washington D.C.’s M Street — now Dunham High School for nearly 40 years, focusing the all black high school on preparing students for higher education, successfully sending many students to prestigious universities.

Information on honorees and a full list can be viewed here.

The orgins of Women’s History Month can be traced back to 1911, when the first International Women’s day was held on March 8th. While in office, Jimmy Carter issued a Presidential proclamation that the week of March 8th would be Women’s History week. Following the petition by the National Women’s History, in 1987 Congress passed a bill that declared March the month for Women’s History.

Love Is Blind, Thanks Eve

In 1999, Eve became only the third female rapper in history to have an album go platinum. Let There be Eve . . . Ruff Ryder’s First Lady, Eve’s debut album’s platinum feat was most impressive due to the fact it rode to success on the single “Love is Blind”. The third single off the album is held today in high regards as a classic. The rap ballad –if you will—is an ode to a dear friend of Eve’s that died from domestic violence.

“Hey, yo I don’t even know you and I hate you See all I know is that my girlfriend used to date you How would you feel if she held you down and raped you? Tried and tried, but she never could escape you”

In a male dominated music industry, Eve’s opus still resonated with Hip Hop fans male and female. The 1999 hit also featured vocals by Faith Evans, the widow of slain rapper Biggie Smalls. Eve’s song spoke out for a community of women, mostly young African American woman, which were affected by domestic abuse of some sort. In 2005, Black women accounted for just 8% of the population, but accounted for 22% of the intimate partner homicide victims and 29% of all female victims of intimate partner homicide reported blackdoctor.org. Rochelle Sample, 24, a Hampton University graduate believes “Love is Blind” was so powerful, because it finally shed light on what the journalistic media refused to. “Many times we see women of other ethnicities on television and how they are missing and the country rallies to search for them or how they are beaten or worse killed by their husbands or lovers and the country rallies for them. It’s not often that you see this same kind of treatment for Black woman and Eve’s song finally gave young women of color a voice against [domestic] violence,” says Sample.

Just two months ago, via youtube.com a young lady posted a comment on Eve’s video for “Love is Blind,” Lisandra Flores writes (in all caps) “LOVE IS BLIND . . . THANK YOU GOD FOR OPENING MY EYES,” more than a decade later and young women of color are still gravitating towards this song.

Kick-Ass Women in Film

Every Friday, there is a new release; so, we flock to the movie theater in droves to spend on average, in some cities, $9.50 a ticket. For those who are not so financially blessed, Netflix, On Demand, or HBO help us become stay-at-home movie goers. In honor of Friday, the unofficial movie night, Divas In Defense would like to honor a couple movies with the best kick-ass women.

What’s Love Got to Do With It?
Starring Angela Basset as the heroine Tina Turner. This real life classic is visual empowerment.

Enough
Starring Jennifer Lopez as a women conned into an abusive relationship teaches up survival and the friendship that is needed to escape abuse.

Is It Time to Intervene Your Teen?

Signs of Dating Abuse In Teens

It’s hard to believe that we’re already into the month of February. In just two short weeks Valentine’s Day will arrive and many couples will celebrate with home-cooked meals for their significant other, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, and large amounts of conversation hearts. Even though February is a love-filled month, it’s the perfect time to get educated about dating abuse; particularly teen dating abuse.

February is recognized by President Barack Obama as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention month. One-in-four high school females have been sexually or physically abused, so chances are you have a friend or know someone in an abusive relationship. How can you tell? Here are a few of the signs:

– sudden isolation from friends
– bodily injuries like cuts or bruises
– dramatically different behavior around his/her boyfriend/girlfriend
– over-load of texts or calls from significant other wanting to know where they are
– excessive surveillance by significant other of texts or calls

If you or someone you know experiences any or all of these signs, don’t be afraid to seek help. Self-defense classes are an excellent way to stay prepared, even in a serious relationship. Divas In Defense offers such classes for teens and young adults, so please check out divasindefense.com for more information.

Visit www.loveisrespect.org for even more information about teen dating abuse statistics, the signs to look for, and how to seek proper help.

Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared!

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Countless crimes and attacks we see daily through the media can easily make us lose focus of the most common attackers and abusers, those we know. According to the United States Department of Justice, one- eight attacks on women is someone we DO NOT know. This means the other 87.5% are our fathers, brothers, bosses, co-workers, church members, neighbors and significant others.

Unfortunately, we do not always report our loved ones and those we know to local authorities. The inaccuracy of 87.5% truly being in the upper 90s reminds us of the importance of protecting ourselves and our girls.

One in four teen dating relationships are abusive. One in four college aged young women will experience attempted or completed rape. The fear of our little girls growing up is scary enough, even without the reality of the countless crimes they may have to endure. Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared!

Click here for more information on registering you and/or a teen for self-defense classes.

Divas ROC with Kicks & Coffee

Saturday, January 25th 8:30am-10am, kick off your morning with self defense.

(For Immediate Release) Refreshments and empowerment will be served this Saturday, January 25th 8:30am-10am, at ROC House Women’s Fitness Spa. Held at 3402 Piedmont Rd Ne, Atlanta, Fierce & Fabulous Self-Defense is an introductory, hand-to-hand combative training program. With one in six girls estimated to become a victim of attempted or completed sexual assault by the age of 18, Divas In Defense, since 2010, has been dedicated to its mission of empowering women with the training and tools imperative to their personal safety. Saturday’s Fierce & Fabulous Self-Defense introductory is being hosted at ROC House Women’s Fitness Spa, bringing the first Kicks & Coffee.

Divas In Defense believes in the mission of ROC House, a woman’s fitness center and spa that is solely “geared towards the empowerment of women and their over all health. They’ve gone over and beyond to obtain machinery specifically designed for women” says Skye Walton, Director of Client Relations (Divas in Defense). As the first of event of 2014 for Divas in Defense, Walton hopes it is a catalyst for many more Kicks & Coffee to come; “I hope women come out for the camaraderie, the sisterhood, and to gain the right techniques to protect themselves,” Walton. Register for only $35 at divasindefense.com

About ROC House Fitness & Spa

ROC House Women’s Fitness Spa is nirvana: a well-rounded shelter that seeks to physically, spiritually and emotionally eliminate the stress in women’s daily lives. Founded by former NBA point guard, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, ROC House Fitness ask women of all sizes, ages and shapes to involve them in their commitment to a lifestyle of health, beauty and wellness. The Spa is located in the premiere Atlanta neighborhood of Buckhead. For more information, visit www.rochousefitnesspa.com

About Divas In Defense

2010, Divas In Defense was started by two brothers, Cole Parker and Christopher Britto, who witnessed domestic violence first hand. They are now fathers with daughters and significant others pledging to prevent the violence which was witnessed, to as many women and girls as they can. Divas In Defense is helmed out of Atlanta, Ga and Beverly Hills, California.

Your New You Resolution!

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”

It is a New Year and time for CHANGE! Every year we make promises we don’t keep. Yeah, yeah, we go all out for most of January, some of February to fall off completely by March. Instead of making New Year’s resolutions, make New You resolutions! You owe it to yourself to purge unhealthy habits and relationships.

Yes, it would be good to lose a few pounds. Believe it or not, that is the easy part. Change your diet to a healthy one and “Watch the Weight Evaporate!” The bigger issue is shedding the extra pounds of dead weight you carry in your relationships, at work, in your home and much more.

Nothing takes the past away like the future.

What have you learned from your mistakes of yester-year? Put together a plan of action and set your course to “New You!” I can tell you, 2014 will be filled with ups and downs; what are you gaining in your losses? A new year gives you the opportunity to shake the dead weight and embark on another year of successes and failures. Remember: Falling forward is still progress!

Take some time and evaluate items in your life. Does your friendship bring more hardship? Is your mate dead weight? Does your workplace need a change of pace?

“We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.” – Kenji Miyazawa

Categorized as: empowerment