Predators, beware: girls WILL fight back!

In light of the recent rape that occurred near campus, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to attend the Girls Fight Back event on Tuesday, Oct. 28. During this event, Erin Weed will guide women on several aspects of self-defense that can be used in potentially threatening situations.

Info on event: I know it takes place Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Towson Center Arena. I also know the key points that Erin Weed will be touching base on through this event that are listed on the Daily Digest. Looking further for more information, I googled GFB and found their site which gave me background information on the formation of the group, contact information, how to set up seminars, etc. The sponsoring groups for this event are also mentioned as well as who to contact for further information.

Souces: Erin Weed will be my main source, but I will also try to get quotes/information from other women who attend the event and possibly a faculty member who took part in organizing the event or sponsored the event.

Questions: I will seek further information on the event, it's foundation, and possibly it's goals for the future and how it affects women in today's society. I will ask attendees their opinions of the event and how it influenced them. I may also ask faculty about past events similar to this one or with the same objective to relate to this event.

Photo Ops: Photo opportunities may include a profile of Erin Weed, audience members at the event, and possible demonstrations of self defense. It's going to be an interesting night!

Running, Racing, and Raising Awareness

Runners race for a cause at the Baltimore Marathon on Oct.11, 2008.

Many of the contestants shared their reasons for running: raising money for lost loved ones and raising money for a specific medical cause such as AIDS, cancer, or hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (don't ask how to pronounce because I have no idea!).

Beth O'Grady, who's brother, Stephen, was killed by a drunk driver, said, "Doing marathons [has] been a huge release for me and a way to raise money for the causes Stephen loved...Running isn't easy. Anything over 20 miles is pure hell and sends you digging deep into your gas tank. But my bother pushes me on."

Running a race like this seems to send a strong message to me about life. Sometimes it seems it is hard to press on and catch up because there is excess baggage that is weighing us down, slowing us down so much that we feel like giving up. Like these runners, we should press on, looking forward and staying focused on our goals, never looking back.

Proverbs 4:25,26 says, "Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established." This verse helps me remember that no matter what goals I am racing towards, if I keep my eyes towards the finish, I know I will be successful. I am already an overcomer through Christ.