New programming empowers college women

Student Government Association brings Girls Fight Back to campus

Programming+on+campus+empowers+students.

Elizabeth Anastasio

Programming on campus empowers students.

Danielle Gryckiewicz, Campus Life Editor

Student Government Association (SGA) brought “Girls Fight Back” to campus.

Girls Fight Back teaches women how to live a “badass” life; providing women with basic personal safety and self-defense.

“The skills learned would not only help us here in Loretto, but also out in the real world once we leave Saint Francis,” said SGA senate member Kylie Connor.

Students who attended the event learned how to protect themselves when faced with a situation that is less than ideal.

Students in the audience practice self-defense maneuvers.
Students in the audience practice self-defense maneuvers.

“This event was incredibly important. The skills you learn in college tend to stick with you, whether academic or social,” said Connor. “Providing this program to the student body allowed interested students to learn how to build their social profile and will only benefit them in the future.”

The Girls Fight Back event was extremely successful. National speaker Bree Swartz from Girls Fight Back said Saint Francis was the best Girls Fight Back event that she has ever attended.

“I was speaking with Gina (the owner of GFB) about the event and told her in my 3 years of speaking this is hands down my favorite and best Students Fight Back event,” said Swartz. “The energy was just wonderful. I left on a high.”

Girls Fight Back presenter Swarts (right) poses with SGA senator Kylie Connor (left).
Girls Fight Back presenter Bree Swartz (right) poses with SGA senator Kylie Connor (left).

Girls Fight Back was brought to SGA’s awareness from the sub-committee on alcohol awareness. Students who attended the event rated it as excellent; some students even said it was the best presentation ever given at Saint Francis.

“Together, the students made this program an amazing one that I hope people will never forget,” said Connor.

The event took place in the John F. Kennedy Center on March 26, 2014.

Student Ali Verba practices the self-defense moves Swartz demonstrated.
Student Ali Verba practices the self-defense moves Swartz demonstrated.