IT’S OUR 20TH BIRTHDAY -- AND WE’RE THROWING YOU A PARTY! Please join us!

We're grateful to all of you making Defend Yourself what it is -- whether you're an organization that worked with us, a student, a community partner, or someone interested in our work, we'd love to celebrate with you! Join us for food, drinks, surprise giveaways, and more!

When: Wednesday October 11 from 5:30 pm - 8 pm
Where: Busboys and Poets at 5th and K Street NW
Tickets: Free! Just make sure to RSVP here, so we can have enough food and drink for everyone!

Empowerment Through Self-Defense

Muslim women are increasingly targeted for hate speech and violence. Join IKRAM (The Foundation for Empowerment of Muslim Women) for an evening of empowerment open to all women.

Teachers from Defend Yourself and WISE–Women’s Initiative for Self-Empowerment–will cover how to prevent and avoid harassment, attack, and abuse; how to stop a threatening situation with words; and physical strikes to use against common attacks (including hijab grabs).

Open to all abilities–you don’t have to be an athlete or a martial artist to keep yourself safer!

Who: Open to all women age 18 and up
When: Friday, Sept. 29, from 6 to 9 pm.
Where: Vienna, Va.
How: $15. Sign up here!

GO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH DIRECTOR LAUREN TAYLOR

MY RIGHTS

Defend Yourself students often write their own Bill of Rights. Here are just a few of the declarations they've made: