Loaded Bow

Erin Weed is the founder and force behind Girls Fight Back!, an organization that provides women with the know-how and skills to reduce the risk of violence and fight back effectively if necessary.  She is the author of Girls Fight Back! The College Girl’s Guide to Protect Herself, and has a sister book on the way for Teens.  Erin leads 8 seminars and workshops, including Road Warriors  which prepares women for safe business travel.  She has been featured by media outlets such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, and CNN, and is the recipient of multiple prestigious awards.  She lives in Colorado with her hubby Pete Lacis of Phaseous.

Most significant, however, is how Erin has paved the way for the legacy of her dear friend, Shannon McNamara.  Only days before her 22nd birthday, Shannon was murdered.  Because Shannon chose to fight back against the stranger who had broken into her home, she was able to provide physical evidence that led to the arrest and conviction of her killer.  Shannon continues to be the inspiration behind Girls Fight Back!.

While corresponding with Erin over the past few weeks, I realized that I rarely speak with my friends about violence against women.  Within my own circle of friends and contacts, I feel like there remains a certain taboo surrounding the subject, as if broaching it somehow threatens our own sense of peace and security.  Counterintuitive, I know.  I commend Erin for fueling this conversation and empowering women in Shannon’s name.

Loaded Bow: Girls Fight Back! is an incredible organization, but was born out of tragedy. Can you tell us about GFB’s story? How has GFB helped you to heal after you lost Shannon?

Erin Weed:  I was working as a TV producer in New York when I learned that my sorority sister, Shannon, was murdered. It was one of those moments where you know you’ll never be the same.

Shannon McNamara

Shannon was 2 years younger than me, and was still a student at Eastern Illinois University. She was really close to graduating, and planned to be a high school physical education teacher and track coach. I met her through our sorority, Alpha Phi. At the time I was president and she was a new member, but we hit it off immediately. I remember seeing her across the room and just knowing, “I am going to be friends with that girl forever.” I loved her like a real sister. So when I got the news that she had been murdered, in that moment everything changed.

After flying home to Chicago for Shannon’s wake and funeral, I had some serious talks with my female friends. For the first time we discussed fear and anxiety. We also started sharing our stories of the times we’ve been made to feel like victims. Nearly everyone has a story, I sadly discovered. I couldn’t believe all the daily habits and thoughts we have in regards to safety. Such as, being scared in parking lots, not taking showers when home alone, laying awake at night terrified of little sounds, etc. Acknowleging that common bond of fear is the idea that pushed me to take my first self-defense class. After I got a taste of the power and confidence that goes along with self-defense, trusting intuition and risk reduction strategies I was hooked.

I ended up leaving my career in broadcasting in order to train with the best self-defense and violence prevention gurus in the world. Soon thereafter, I started speaking at colleges around the country about women’s safety and self-defense. The Girls Fight Back seminar was featured in some major media publications shortly after I created it, which built demand for high school and corporate seminars as well. Speaking and educating women has been a form of therapy for me, but it will never bring Shannon back. June 12, 2008 marked the seven year anniversary of her death, and I like to believe that she’s the angel behind all the good work of GFB.

LB: GFB now offers seminars, an online store for safety and inspirational products, a book and videos. What was your original vision for GFB? Where do you see it heading in the future?

EW:  Most business people cringe when they hear that I still have no real plan. We have answered needs as they arise. People asked me to write a book, so I did. People are wanting to buy a DVD of the seminar for their daughters, so we produced it. People have been asking to start GFB clubs at high schools and colleges, so we’re now starting a non-profit called Club GFB to support it. The answers have flowed steadily, and my staff just tries to keep up with it! I believe we will continue to create products and services so that we can accomplish our big-picture vision: To educate women across the globe about personal safety and self-defense. We really want to take this across the world!

LB:  What are GFB’s greatest challenges? How do you overcome them?

EW:  Our greatest challenges are just trying to stay sane in the whirwind of all our projects and good ideas. But this is what I refer to as a “good problem.” We have a great team of supporters, staff and comrades which makes everything possible.

LB:  So, we have to say - you have a pretty awesome last name.

Even at thirty years old now, I am often referred to as “Weed.” It’s just one of those names that you have to embrace or are taunted for eternity. So especially in college, I owned it. After I got engaged to my incredible husband Pete Lacis, I told him I was keeping the Weed. He asked if he could take my name! I think he was kind of joking, but kind of serious.

LB:  Is it true that you’ve been fired from lots of jobs??

I have been informed that I have an “attitude problem.” So yes, I’ve been terminated from my fair share of jobs. But deep down, I always wanted to be my own boss. In general, entrepreneurs make terrible employees and I am no exception.

LB:  What is the most important lesson you have learned in your time with GFB? What do you consider its greatest accomplishment to date?

I have learned two important things since starting GFB in 2001. First, nearly everyone has a story in regards to violence. Secondly, nobody talks about these experiences. I think these lessons tie into our greatest accomplishment, which is raising awareness about this problem and empowering women to become their own best protectors. And in the process…finding a truly awesome and joy-filled life. I am most proud when people who have seen the GFB seminar write us and share their success stories. In many cases, these successes aren’t women who had to physically fight back. Instead, for the first time they stood up for themselves, said no or set a boundary. These small yet profound things change a person for the better. And that, in turn, changes our world.

On a more personal note, I think the biggest accomplishment of GFB has been that Shannon McNamara’s legacy will never be forgotten. For me, that is enough.

We are so proud of Erin and the initiatives she has taken. 

What are you doing to protect yourself?  Is this a conversation that you’re already having?

gen+loadedbow