AWSDA’s Blog

Hello Fellow Conference Participants,

Thank you for choosing to be a part of the 17^th Annual AWSDA Conference.   Whether you are a participant, instructor, corporate sponsor, vendor, or all of the above, this Conference is possible because of you!  If it were not for you, this Conference would not have happened and almost did not happen.  I like to fondly refer to it as the “Conference That Almost Wasn’t”.  So my sincerest appreciate goes out to all of you who made it possible!!

As I have stated several times, South Carolina is 1^st in Aggravated Assault per capita, 6^th in Domestic Abuse, etc.  Brining AWSDA to South Carolina is a personal goal that would not have been possible without all of you.  This area of the nation is in desperate need of bringing awareness to the violence against women that is so often a part of the culture. 

In addition to heightening regional awareness of violence against women, this conference also provides a solution.  It offers an individual the opportunity to learn how to protect oneself in the face of adversity.  The line-up of classes this year is excellent.  The classes this year will help the beginner and enhance the skills of the advanced.

There has been some controversy surrounding this conference.  I can only hope that those who have chosen to participate in this year’s conference keep the ultimate goal in mind.  This conference is not about one person, one thing, one entity.  It is bigger than all of that.  This conference is to give the participants the opportunity to learn new skills, master old skills, and obtain new tools through sharing and exchanging of ideas (networking).  The ultimate goal is about teaching women (across the globe) how to defend themselves.

My most humble appreciation for your willingness to help in this endeavor.  I am truly blessed to be able to be a part of this wonderful experience!  Thank you all for your willingness, participation, ideas, sharing, and experiences.  I truly appreciate each and every moment I will have with every one of you.

Respectfully,

Deanna Enis

AWSDA 2008 Conference Coordinator