Trevecca to Offer Free Women’s Self-Defense Class Nov. 13

Jasmin Enriquez Martinez

Features Editor

Women on campus will have the opportunity to learn self-defense techniques at a free class on Nov. 13 at 5 p.m. in the Zelma Auditorium.

Flyer provided by Emma Grace Hicks, 2027 class president

Hosted by the junior class council, the class will teach techniques to help students learn how to defend themselves and build confidence.

Kat Abraham, a senior creative writing major, will instruct the class. The class is part of a ‘practical events’ series, designed to teach students real life skills. Future classes include meal prep and grocery budgeting with Sodexo, finances and tax preparation with a tax preparer, according to Emma Grace Hicks, class president of 2027.

“We just want to do things that are actually practical, especially junior year, because everyone’s starting to get stressed out about post-grad things and figuring out life,” said Hicks.

Abraham, recognizes the need for women to learn self-defense.

“I think it’s just because it’s a concern, especially like for where we live, we hear stories all the time about women getting abducted, and even just like on campus, like things will happen, like where people get assaulted, or things like that,” said Abraham.

Since age of 9, Abraham has practiced martial arts, earning her second-degree black belt in krav maga and a junior black belt in kenpo karate.

Her training has helped her build confidence and prepare her for self-defense, said Abraham.

“In doing an event like this, I want to help in some small way to equip other women with that same sense of kind of comfort and awareness,” said Abraham.

Abraham will teach students basic moves, such as punches, kicks and palm strikes, focusing mostly on the bear hug defense.

“I’ve been instructing martial arts since I was 14, so I lead classes of 30 to 40 kids and run them through. But I haven’t been doing it as much as I came to college,” said Abraham.

Abraham hopes students learn skills and tools that they can rely on in an emergency.

Students should dress comfortably for the event.