PAWMA News Uniting and empowering a diverse community of women and girls in the martial arts. Vol. 35 No. 2 Spring 2012 PAWMA Camp 2012 August 3-5, 201, Berkeley High School, Berkeley CA Camp Info Work-Study Applications Housing, Meals, and Transportation info Group Rebates Understanding Energy and Sharing at Camp Simu Janet Seaforth PAWMA camp has been a major source of my training. The variety of instructors and various forms from many martial arts sources provided a rich experience in my development and understanding of energy. While Qigong and Tai Chi were always my main focus, it was beneficial to work with other martial arts as well, especially Aikido. Aikido as a partner form lets you test your ability to send and receive qi or ki. Tai Chi and Aikido are both considered to be internal arts or "soft arts", so they are compatible. Martial Arts Healing Arts is one of PAWMA's themes. The organization was formed by women for women to work in a non-competitive way to help each other practice our various arts and network together and create support for all women. Left to right: Denise McMilan, Janet Seaforth, and Michelle Dwyer at camp in 1980. Photo courtesy of Janet Seaforth. I met the founding mother of women in the Martial Arts, Betty Braver, when she taught self defense and body mechanics at the Country Women's Festival of 1974 and 1975. It is also where
PAWMA News Vol. 35 No. 1 Winter 2012 2 I saw Tai Chi for the first time, and it was love at first sight. I found a teacher in 1976 in my town, at the time, of Sonoma, and also met Michelle Dwyer as a fellow student in Sifu Nam Singh's classes. Betty Braver invited me to come to the first Women in the Martial Arts Camp on Lake Vera, near Nevada City. I invited Michelle Dwyer to go with me and we met Tony Young from L.A., who was the Tai Chi instructor that first year. The next year we met Laurie Cahn from San Francisco who did Kung Fu, Qigong and Tai Chi from Adam Shu's class. In the early days there were few Tai Chi women. It was mostly Karate. Now that was some extension of ki energy! We Tai Chi people kept to ourselves and participated where we could. We shared qigong forms and practiced various Tai Chi forms and partner work or push hands. We also worked with the traditional Tai Chi staff and sword - both saber and the classic double-edged. Sensei Margie Leno, later known as Jamie Zimron, amazed us with her ability to spar with the hard styles, using her Aikido soft style very effectively with grace and beauty. Betty Braver left, but other women pulled it together and formed the Pacific Association of Women in the Martial Arts. "Uniting and empowering a diverse community of women and girls in the martial arts." Michelle Dwyer (left) and Janet Seaforth practice a two-person sword form at Lake Vera, Nevada City, 1979. Photo courtesy of Janet Seaforth. I attended 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1993,1994, 2003,2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists 2
PAWMA News Vol. 35 No. 1 Winter 2012 3 Board News Update: Planning for the Future II Rosanne Boudreau President, PAWMA This past February, PAWMA's governing board held its second annual board retreat weekend, hosted by Tracy Reith, Board Vice President. This retreat was an opportunity for the board members, who are passionate about PAWMA, to come together to reflect, brainstorm ideas, and implement action plans to ensure that PAWMA remains a vibrant organization that can continue to offer inspiration and support to women in the martial arts for years to come. The Board was delighted to note that despite the challenges of a conference-style camp, Camp 2011 was very successful in establishing a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for all participants. This is something that it wants campers to experience again in 2012, and the Board is actively engaged in this year's preparations. As with all retreats, there were opportunities for reflection, constructive feedback and analysis. Below are some of the highlights of the topics discussed: Policy clarifications regarding camp events With the introduction of a conference-style camp in 2011, new issues arose that required a clarification of policies, particularly with regards to non-registrants. The Board clarified that for this year's camp, family, friends and the general public will be invited to attend PAWMA Camp's Saturday night demonstrations program, and that training sessions, as well as opening and closing ceremonies will be closed to non-campers. As PAWMA has done in the past, an entrance fee will be charged for the demo program, and proceeds will go to PAWMA's general fund. Given the prime urban location of the camp in the Berkeley/San Francisco area, the Board decided not to host a dance, bazaar, or a massage therapist at PAWMA Camp to allow for more opportunities for campers to enjoy the surrounding areas, and to spend time with family and friends. However the Board did decide to host a table for PAWMA merchandise and opted to continue to offer a ticket raffle for the duration of camp. Proceeds from both will continue to go to PAWMA's scholarship fund. Looking Inward On Saturday the Board discussed PAWMA's short and long-range goals. Silke Schulz led the Board through a SWOT analysis where the Board identified internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. Two challenging areas were identified: a.) how to establish continuity and retain knowledge on the governing in the context of three-year board appointments and staggered turnovers; b.) how to shape the direction of the organization based on the needs and wishes of the membership and PAWMA's mission statement. a. Suggested short-term solutions for knowledge retention included formulating a standard packet for new board members and staff development. Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists 3
PAWMA News Vol. 35 No. 1 Winter 2012 4 b. Reaching out to membership: to better gauge the needs of PAWMA's current membership (the most vital target group) the Board decided to formulate a survey for PAWMA members to enquire about such topics as all-inclusive vs. conference style camp, urban vs. verdant settings, new camp sites in the west, group rate incentives to camp, how to set up fundraising and donations, among others. The Board acknowledged that the best advertising for PAMWA the organization was PAWMA Camp itself in that women who make it to camp, usually come back. The goals for growth are to retain our current membership, to continue to draw new members from schools familiar with PAWMA, and to draw in women of all ages who otherwise are not familiar with PAWMA. A noteworthy challenge to take into account is that on the West Coast where nearly 25% of martial arts schools offer female-led classes, an exclusively "female training space" may no longer be the primary draw to try PAWMA, so we have to think creatively of ways to market our Camp. Finances and Fund Raising During the retreat, the Board acknowledged the need for continued financial stability. While the Board is confident that this year's Camp will continue to move the organization towards solvency, a recurring question that the Board would like to pose to the general membership is "What can PAWMA do to acquire other funding sources?" An exhaustive search of grants opportunities last year revealed that there are no grants available for organizations such as PAWMA. So we ask ourselves, "How can PAWMA appeal to long time members and especially to the lifetime members for donations to PAWMA's scholarship program?" As you can see, the Board has its work cut out! But it remains confident and excited by the possibilities that lie ahead. It helps tremendously that there are so many sources of inspiration to draw from, so many talented and exceptional women! This is why we keep going. Recognition The Board is proud and delighted to announce that it selected Sifu Michelle Dwyer as the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and Leslie Lippard as the 2012 Martial Artist of the Year. Both will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to PAWMA at this year's Camp. Be on the lookout for their bios and accomplishments in future communications Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists 4
PAWMA News Vol. 35 No. 1 Winter 2012 5 New Board Member: Beth Deal Photo courtesy of Beth Deal, with her first granddaughter, Alicia. I had not participated in sports when I started martial arts 29 years ago so it was a real challenge to try to punch and kick all while trying to block and weave (some days it felt more like duck and run). I will say I found it easy to be motivated in class no matter how hard it was because I wanted to decrease the number of times I got hit or kicked by someone better than I was. What has kept me training, no matter how hard it was, is that martial arts make my heart sing. When I am at PAWMA camp, around the amazing women that gather there to share what they do, my heart sings so much I could not be happier. My martial arts journey has been amazing so far. I have to say I have been blessed to have trained with several of the best martial artists teachers. I have trained in American Style Karate, Kung Fu, Arnis, Akido, Self Defense and I am now training in Ju Jitsu. I have two black belts; one in American Style Karate with Michael Parks and the other in Shuri-Ryu Karate with Sensi Wendi Dragonfire. I also trained for several years in the Mo Duk Pai system with Sifu Chris Hosman and Sifu Patty O'linger. I was also honored to train with Sifu Barbara Bones when I first started my training. I am currently training with Impact Ju Jitsu and working with the Portland Police Departments Women Strength self defense program. When I am not enjoying martial arts or my family I am a science teacher in the Beaverton School District. I do not remember when I first joined PAWMA but it has been one of the highlights of my training. Unfortunately I had to miss a couple of recent camps because of my husband's death. When I came back to camp this fall it was such a healing experience for me that I wanted to step up and do what I could to help PAWMA. PAWMA is such an amazing resource for women and girls training in martial arts and I want to do what I can to help PAWMA grow and reach its goals. Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists 5
PAWMA News Vol. 35 No. 1 Winter 2012 6 New Board Member: Lisa Lavoy Training in martial arts has shown me a way to grow. I wish I had started earlier in life, but my first day is now six years past, and my path continues to the horizon. I look forward to practicing martial arts for many years ahead. Simply put, I love it. I am honored to have three black belts. The first is in, Cacoy Doce Pares, under Grandmaster Cacoy Cañete. The second in Taikabudo, a Kajukenbo based curriculum that incorporates Tai Chi, Butokukan Karate and Doce Pares Eskrima, and created by my teachers, Guro Sherril Johnson and Sifu Restita DeJesus. The third and most recent is from, Filipino Martial Arts Academy, under Grand Master Christopher Petrilli. About three years ago I was introduced to PAWMA and Photo courtesy of Lisa Lavoy the great camp it offers. I was blown away. The atmosphere, the teachers, the class variety, the camp attendees! The experience was energizing and had a feeling of community. Last year I was voted onto the PAWMA board and am grateful for the opportunity. I look forward in working with the other board members to ensure PAWMA thrives for many years to come. Camp 2012 Planning Update: Fukuda Sensei to Lead Opening Session PAWMA is incredibly pleased and honored to announce that the opening session of PAWMA Camp 2012 - Spirit of the Dragon, held August 3-5 at Berkeley High School in Berkeley CA, will be led by Fukuda Keiko Sensei. At the age of 99, Fukuda Sensei is the highest ranking woman Judo practitioner in the world, holding tenth degree (USA Judo) and ninth degree (Kodokan, US Judo Federation) black belts. PAWMA honored Fukuda Sensei with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. More recently, a Sensei Keiko Fukuda, the highest-ranked woman in judo in the world at ninth degree, teaches hand techniques to her judo students at a women's dojo in Noe Valley. Credit: Photo by Lance Iversen / The San Francisco Chronicle Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists 6
PAWMA News Vol. 35 No. 1 Winter 2012 7 documentary of her life, Mrs. Judo: Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful! premiered this March at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. Camp registration is open at http://www.pawma.org/news-and-events. Keep in mind that PAWMA Camp 2012 - Spirit of the Dragon is earlier than usual this year and fees increase July 2. Work-study grants and group rebates are available to help everyone who wants to join us come to camp. Conference-style camp Following the success of last year's conference-style camp in Seattle, PAWMA Camp 2012 will also be a conference-style camp. Camp fees cover: Classes with a wide range of outstanding teachers Hosted lunch on Sunday for members at the membership meeting Commemorative t-shirt featuring a stunning design by Sifu Michelle Dwyer, for those who register before July 2 Camp participants will be responsible for arranging their own housing and meals Hotels We have identified two hotels near Berkeley High School, The Rose Garden Inn and Quality Inn University. Please contact the hotels directly for your reservation. Identify yourself as a PAWMA conference participant. We are currently trying to negotiate a "best rate" for members. Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists 7
PAWMA News Vol. 35 No. 1 Winter 2012 8 If we can get a better price, the difference will be refunded to those who have identified themselves as members. Local Hosts Bay Area PAWMA Sisters: we need your help! If you can host one or more women during camp, email Patty O'Linger housing@pawma.org with a description of the accommodations you can offer. Be sure to mention whether you have pets, children, other housemates, etc. If you are interested in staying in someone's home, email Patty O'Linger housing@pawma.org describing your housing needs. Be specific about such things as pet allergies, noise sensitivity, accessibility, etc. We will do our best to connect women arriving from out-of-town with local women martial artists who can provide a place to stay during camp. Food and Transportation Just as last year, we've researched local restaurants and transportation options. Details are available at www.pawma.org/housing, along with information about The Rose Garden Inn and Quality Inn University. When you get to camp, we will provide pamphlets identifying local restaurants and options for parking. We are also looking for local volunteers who are willing to help drive camp participants between where they are staying and Berkeley High School. Email Patty O'Linger housing@pawma.org if you can help out and how many people, with training gear, you can comfortably and safely transport. Teachers Silke Schulz and Beth Deal together are heading the teacher selection committee. The committee is on the cusp of finalizing teacher selections. The breadth and depth of applications has been outstanding, making selecting teachers a particularly challenging task. We will announce the teaching roster when it is finalized. Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists 8
PAWMA News Vol. 35 No. 1 Winter 2012 9 Camp Rebates for Groups of Six or More This year we are offering a special incentive to groups coming to PAWMA Camp 2012 - Spirit of the Dragon, Aug 3-5, Berkeley CA. Your organization or school can earn a rebate by registering six or more women for PAWMA Camp 2012. If six people from your school sign up, you receive a $140 rebate, which can be divided up as you wish, or used towards the registration of seventh person, for a 50% discount. If you form a tenperson group, your group will earn a $280 rebate, and could enable an eleventh person to come to camp for free! Six people = $140 rebate Start a sign-up list at your school today and start forming your groups! Registration fees increase July 2, so we encourage everyone to register early. This offer is available to current PAWMA members only. If women in your school are not members or have allowed their membership to lapse, encourage them to join or renew at www.pawma.org. Basic membership is only $40/year. Members pay lower fees for camp registration, are eligible for scholarships (see www.pawma.org/workstudy for details), and receive PAWMA News by email. Ten people = $280 rebate Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists 9
PAWMA News Vol. 35 No. 1 Winter 2012 10 Instructions 1. Start a sign up list 2. When your list is complete, email to camp@pawma.org o Name of your school or organization o List of names o Contact name and address for issuing rebate check 3. When everyone on your list has registered*, PAWMA will issue your rebate check Requirements to receive your group rebate Each member of the group must be a current PAWMA member. Each member of the group must register and pay for camp in full. No other discounts (work-study, camp raffle winner, etc.) apply. Remember, PAWMA Camp 2012 is coming early this year. The dates are August 3rd to 5th - so now is the time to start planning. Details and registration at www.pawma.org/news-and-events. *Camp registration fees do not include housing, meals, or transportation. Registration includes hosted membership lunch, Sun Aug 5, and commemorative t-shirt if registered before July 2. Registration fees increase July 2. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Women's History Month: 1st Ever All-Women AWMAI Martial Arts Hall of Fame Las Vegas, Nevada - March 20, 2012 - More than "His-story" this event was truly one which marked a milestone for "Her-story!" The three-day Association of Women's Martial Arts Instructors Las Vegas conference themed "Sharing Our Knowledge with the World" marked the first time that we have seen an International All-Women Martial Arts Hall of Fame. The weekend brought instruction from such world-renown members as World Champion Arlene Limas. Undefeated internationally, Master Limas was the first American, let alone the first American woman, to win an Olympic Gold Medal in Taekwondo. Graciela Casillas, Keynote Speaker at the event, current Chair of P.E. at Oxnard College in California, taught a great class on knife techniques. Grand Master Casillas, was the first person to hold simultaneous World Titles in Kickboxing and (traditional) Boxing, retiring with an impressive 31-0 record, 18 by KO. Another World Champion instructor was stuntwoman Kathy Long. Master Long, with five World Kickboxing Titles under her belt, taught an impressive class on Muay Thai counter-drills. Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists 10
PAWMA News Vol. 35 No. 1 Winter 2012 11 The weekend was not only about fighting skills. There were nearly twenty seminars available during the weekend "retreat." These classes ranged from a Hip Hop motion and movement session, to battlefield medicine techniques, to lessons on how to teach to nontraditional learners, and the theory/practice of de-escalation skills. No one walked away empty-handed. The Hall of Fame banquet itself highlighted this spectacular gathering by honoring thirty-two women who have dedicated themselves to the Martial Arts for thirty or more years. Organized by AWMAI Certification Director Janice Okamoto and AWMAI Executive Director Zosia Gorbaty, the categories were simple: 30+; 40+; 50+ and one very special inductee, Sensei Bernice Jay, the sole recipient of the 60+ years award! A few throws shy of her ninetieth birthday, one would be hard-pressed to find a more natural Martial Artist or a more willing student than this remarkable woman. Next year's conference has already been scheduled for February 22-24, 2013, once again at the Alexis Park Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada. Hope to see you there! The Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI.org) was founded in 1998. The continuing mission of the group is to support personal safety, health and integrity through Martial Arts and anti-violence instruction. The AWMAI is an international organization with corporate offices at PO Box 492, Charles Town, WV, 25414 For additional information contact: Executive Director Zosia Gorbaty zgorbaty@gmail.com (917) 623-9640 www.awmai.org From the Editor: Thank you to those who contributed, assisted, and took the time to write an article for this newsletter. If you are interested in writing an article for the upcoming newsletter, please email Newsletter Editor at newsletter@pawma.org. The next submission deadline is June 2, 2012. Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists 11