At the Bridge to Impact Changemaker Conference in Düsseldorf, 8th graders Kennedy and Kaitlyn led a workshop that combined courage, leadership, and practical skills. Their session, Self-Defense for Girls and Women: understanding my right to safety, how to reduce risks, and how to act when danger shows up, is a striking example of young changemakers turning concern into action that benefits others.

 

 

For Kennedy and Kaitlyn, self-defense is more than physical techniques—it’s about confidence, awareness, and personal agency. “It has definitely taught me to be more confident in myself… there are other ways to help myself and be confident in different situations other than using self-defense,” Kimberly shared. By learning to recognize risks, use their voices, and navigate situations safely, students develop both practical skills and a resilient mindset that carries into daily life.

 

Teaching self-defense has benefits beyond immediate safety. They highlighted that confidence grows alongside empowerment: “Being able to know that in different situations, I know how to stay calm and how to help myself and defend myself.” By giving younger girls tools to trust themselves and act with agency, the workshop fosters leadership, resilience, and social responsibility.

 

 

The workshop blends education, engagement, and practice. It begins with a “four corners” activity, introducing participants to key statistics about safety and encouraging reflection. From there, they guided students through the principles of self-defense, summarized as Recognize, Use your voice, Narrow your goal, Neutralize briefly, Interrupt and disengage, Navigate to safety, and get help (RUN principle).

 

The session emphasizes prevention, proactive communication, and supporting others; stirring away from a narrative where self-defense is framed as fighting, but rather about protecting and helping yourself, others, and making choices that keep everyone safe. Their participants at the conference not only with physical skills but also with a mindset of agency, assertiveness, and responsibility. Supporting Leadership at ASH This initiative reflects our commitment to providing students with opportunities to lead and make meaningful contributions. Kennedy and Kaitlyn’s workshop demonstrates how learning can be translated into action that empowers others. Especially for students between 11 and 14 years old, ASH creates many opportunities and provides for students to practice initiative, collaborate, and bring ideas to life.

 

 

Reflecting on their experience, they highlighted the ripple effect of their work: personal growth intertwined with the empowerment of others. “It’s very nerve-wracking, but it’s also empowering…not only for us, but hopefully to anyone else who participates in the workshop,” they said. Their initiative shows how courage and curiosity can translate into meaningful action sparking confidence, agency, and a sense of justice with every potential to help create safer, stronger, and more connected communities.