The Safety Team: Self-Defense Vermont

Empowerment Self-Defense For Women By Women

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our Program
    • Our Workshops
    • Our Team
    • Our History
    • Future Goals
    • Want to Help?
  • Violence Prevention Workshops / Registration
  • Trauma Recovery – TESD
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • In the News
    • Testimonials
    • Our Blog
    • Give the Gift of Empowerment – Gift Certificates Available!
  • Contact Us

Physical Distancing

June 15, 2020 by Peg Rieley

This is Christine here. The photo is of my cat Pebs, who is a physical distancing failure. I love her anyway.

First off, I hope you all are doing as well as can be expected.

Second, I just wanted to share a COVID-19 observation, loosely related to the Safety Team. 

Like many of you, I have been working at home, and trying to get outside to walk as often as possible. I have NEVER seen so many people out walking before. There is literally ‘walking traffic’!

If you have attended one of our workshops, you likely heard us mention “the sidewalk challenge”. This is in reference to the observation that I (and other women) have made when walking and are approached by someone else from the opposite direction, sharing the same path.

As a smaller woman, I have noticed that people—most often men—expect me to move aside, without really seeing me. (There is no judgement here—just an observation. I believe that we have all been socialized to act in a certain way, with women frequently socialized to step aside.)

In our workshops, we suggest that women practice “walking like a person with power” aka “walk like a boss”; I do this frequently and find that it is both an effective way to work on building my own confidence and physical presence while challenging the assumption that I should always move aside for others. It works.

My recent observation when I am out walking is incredible. Not only are people moving aside when they see me, but they are literally RUNNING to get far away from me. Somehow, we are finally seeing each other more. 

Make of that what you will, but we are now visible. I am grateful that people are practicing physical distancing and taking this crisis seriously.

Be well, and keep walking like a boss!

Walk Virtual hugs to all. xoxo

Filed Under: Our Blog

Future Goals

The Safety Team is dedicated to offering programs that are cutting edge, research-based, effective, and responsive to the voices and needs of women. With increased support from donors, fees, and grants, we are working on expanding … Read More

Want to Help?

Sign-up for an internship or volunteer.  Are you a … Learn More

Interested in Future Workshops?

Help Spread Safety!

Thank you…

... for registering for the best self defense workshop for women! Click the button to Make a Donation with … Learn more...

Welcome to the Safety Team

Welcome to our website! The Safety Team, Inc., is a 501(c)3 Vermont nonprofit organization dedicated to the safety, empowerment, resiliency, and well-being of women. Our team consists of seven highly skilled women who are committed to this mission. We welcome inquiries and would be happy to share information about our courses. Please contact us at Eileen@TheSafetyTeam.org to learn more about our self-defense program.

While we offer a variety of workshops focused on enhancing the safety and empowerment of women, we also collaborate with other organizations that share our broader mission of enhancing the well-being, leadership abilities and resiliency of women.

Testimonials

“It’s reassuring as a mother to see my daughter learn about defending herself and to practice with other women who understand about feeling not safe in some situations.”
…Read More

Want to Help?

Sign-up for an internship or volunteer.  Are you a college or high school student? Speak to your school about an … Learn More

Resources

The Safety Team recommends a variety of apps, organizations, and information, some of which can be found here. Click below to view apps, helpful links, and … Learn More

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Our Blog

Click here to check out our blog!

Copyright © 2023 · The Safety Team · All rights reserved.