Women's Self Defense Club

Photo by Jenna Wilson

Did you know Ottawa University hosts a women’s self defense club weekly? 

With so many activities and clubs happening on our campus, it’s difficult to keep track of every single one. Ottawa’s women’s self defense club has been up and running for months now. The self defense club is held on Thursday nights downstairs in the Atkinson building from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Initially, the idea to start the club was given by John Traveler. It was suggested that an Ottawa student with some type of background in fighting take charge of this idea. Ottawa University wrestler, Jenae Wilson, with the help of instructors, became completely on board with getting this program operating. 

The goal of this self defense club is to teach individuals how to properly protect themselves in a potentially dangerous situation.
“For anyone just beginning a task like this, distance is key,” senior Jenae Wilson explained. “We’re aiming to show people how the body works so you are able to use it to your advantage in the case of an attack.”

Wilson explained how women often describe a situation where they’ve been attacked from behind, or held at gunpoint and threatened to give up their purse, and their initial reaction is to just freeze. The self-defense club’s purpose is to give women who don’t have a background in fighting and are scared to learn about fighting the leverage of how to go about it the right way.
Although it is known as a women’s self defense club, they have young men that are in the club helping teach technique as well as learning new things themselves from being a part of the program. It isn’t only limited to women.
“We would like to see as many people as possible come out, men or women. Even young kids, which we have participating in our club right now,” Wilson said.
For more information, you may contact Wilson at jenae.wilson@student.ottawa.edu.

Bring your friends and come learn to fight on Thursday nights!